St Marys Primary School Dechomet

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly constrained by industrial action, as teachers did not cooperate with the inspection team. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or assure stakeholders of the education provided. The school is designated as a "high priority for future inspection with no further notice."

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils were described as "confident, articulate and very proud of their school."
• Children highlighted "very good opportunities" to participate in a wide range of activities beyond the classroom.
• Pupils spoke positively about "caring staff" and their enjoyment of active learning activities.
• Students reported being "challenged to use their creativity."

Areas to improve

• The ETI was unable to evaluate the school’s capacity for sustained improvement through self-evaluation and effective school planning.
• The quality of learning and teaching within classrooms could not be assessed.
• The full outworking of safeguarding arrangements could not be evaluated due to the industrial action.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education" and that children feel safe, but the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding in the school."