St Joseph's Primary School

Overview

The inspection was significantly limited by industrial action, as teachers did not cooperate with the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The report notes that the school is a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• Year 6 children were observed to be “mature, courteous and friendly,” engaging “confidently” with inspectors.
• Pupils spoke positively about their learning experiences, citing benefits from activities such as “mindfulness, sporting activities and learning connected to the locality.”
• Children reported enjoying opportunities to “develop their leadership skills” and contribute to school decision-making.
• Safeguarding arrangements were found to “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education.”
• Children reported feeling “very happy and safe” and spoke “knowledgeably” about online safety.

Areas to improve

• The report does not list specific areas for improvement because the ETI was “unable to evaluate” outcomes, provision, and leadership due to the lack of teacher cooperation.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” though the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements” due to the industrial action.