St Mary's Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was “unable to assure... of the quality of education” and could not evaluate outcomes, provision, or leadership. The school is designated a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• The report identifies no strengths, as the ETI was “unable to evaluate” learning outcomes, the quality of provision, or leadership and management due to the lack of cooperation.
• A subsequent safeguarding visit in September 2017 found that arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education.”
• Children reported that they “feel safe in school” and know “what to do and who to talk to if they are concerned about their safety or well-being.”

Areas to improve

• The school must provide evidence of satisfactory safeguarding arrangements, which were not available during the initial inspection.
• The school requires a full evaluation of its educational provision, as the ETI could not assess the quality of education or safeguarding at the time of the May inspection.

Safeguarding

During the initial inspection, the school did not provide evidence that satisfactory arrangements were in place, but a follow-up visit confirmed that arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education” and that children feel safe.