St Patrick's College

Overview

The inspection was significantly limited by industrial action, as almost all teachers refused to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” Evaluations were based solely on evidence from senior leadership and available documentation.

Strengths

• A new positive behaviour policy, featuring a reformed merit system and the removal of detention, is praised; pupils report it is “fairer” and “motivates them to work hard.”
• Data usage in mathematics has improved, leading to personalised targets and interventions that help pupils reach or exceed their goals.
• GCSE results in mathematics and overall attainment remain “consistently above the Northern Ireland average” for schools in the same free school meal band.
• Pupils express appreciation for their “voice in their school,” the range of learning experiences, and the support provided by teachers.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the post-16 provision” to address current and future needs, given the significant drop in enrolment.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education” and pupils feel safe, though the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements” due to the industrial action.