St Patrick's Primary School

Overview

This monitoring inspection was significantly constrained by industrial action, as the principal, teachers, and governors refused to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of education, teaching, or learner outcomes, stating it could not "assure parents/carers... of the quality of education and safeguarding being provided for the children."

Strengths

• The report identifies no strengths regarding educational provision or leadership due to the lack of cooperation.
• During a September 2017 follow-up, the school provided evidence that safeguarding 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 report states that "no key findings can be reported" because the principal and teachers did not participate in the inspection process.
• The employing authority, governors, and staff must "plan for, and manage, issues related to the sustainability of the school provision and school budget" to address current and future needs.
• The school failed to provide evidence of satisfactory safeguarding arrangements during the initial January 2017 inspection and the subsequent six-week follow-up.

Safeguarding

While initial inspections found no evidence of satisfactory arrangements, a September 2017 visit confirmed that policies broadly reflect Department guidance and children feel safe, though the ETI remained "unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements" due to ongoing industrial action.