St Michael's Primary School (Finnis)

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was conducted during industrial action involving 'action short of strike', meaning staff did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was 'unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children'. The evaluation relied solely on limited evidence available, such as discussions with pupils and displayed work, rather than standard classroom observations.

Strengths

• A sample of Key Stage 2 children 'expressed their enjoyment of the learning activities'.
• Pupil work is 'displayed and celebrated throughout the school and is of a high standard'.
• Children reported that they 'feel safe in school' and know who to contact regarding safety concerns.
• Safeguarding arrangements were found to 'reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education'.

Areas to improve

• The report states it is 'important that the employing authority, school governors and the staff plan for, and manage, issues related to the sustainability of the school provision and school budget'.
• The ETI was unable to evaluate 'the quality of learning and teaching within the classrooms' or the school's capacity for self-evaluation due to non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

The report confirms that safeguarding arrangements broadly reflect Department of Education guidance and that children feel safe, though the ETI was 'unable to evaluate fully with staff the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding in the school' due to the industrial action.