St Louise's Comprehensive College

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning the ETI was “unable to assure the quality of education” or fully evaluate key areas such as teaching, literacy, and safeguarding. Despite these limitations, the report highlights that pupils are “confident, articulate” and that examination outcomes are a “significant strength,” with results significantly above the Northern Ireland average for similar schools.

Strengths

• Pupils are described as “confident, articulate young people who have pride in their school” and engage with inspectors with “high levels of courtesy and respect.”
• Examination outcomes are a “significant strength,” with attainment in GCSEs and A levels “significantly above the Northern Ireland average” for non-selective schools in the same free school meals band.
• The school benefits from a “broad and balanced curriculum” and has introduced “mixed-ability classes at Key Stage 3” informed by research and student voice.
• Leadership is praised for a “coherent, strategic vision” and “rigorous self-evaluation,” with governors demonstrating “detailed knowledge of the life and work of the school.”
• Questionnaire responses from pupils, parents, and staff were largely positive, highlighting the “strong pastoral and community ethos” and staff commitment.

Areas to improve

• The school needs to “review the special educational needs (SEN) register and monitor more robustly the SEN provision” and the effectiveness of interventions.
• “Arrangements for admitting pupils to post-16 study need to be kept under review.”
• There is a “shortage of toilet and changing facilities for male staff and students” which “needs addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Safeguarding

The report states that while pupils feel safe and are aware of reporting procedures, the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding” due to the industrial action.