St Malachy's Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning most teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) states it is “unable to assure... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The report provides limited findings based on available evidence, noting that full evaluations of outcomes, provision, and leadership were not possible.

Strengths

• Year 7 children demonstrate a “very positive attitude to literacy” and read with fluency.
• Pupils use mental mathematics strategies accurately and explain their reasoning well.
• Children benefit from “a range of additional and extra-curricular learning opportunities” that enrich their learning.
• The school’s improvement planning is described as “collegial and inclusive,” informed by high levels of consultation.
• Governors are “well informed about the life and work of the school” and exercise their challenge function appropriately.

Areas to improve

• The report does not list specific areas for improvement, as the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully” the quality of provision, leadership, and learning outcomes due to the industrial action.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” and Year 6 children reported feeling safe, though the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements.”