St Patrick's Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was conducted during industrial action involving "action short of strike," meaning staff did not co-operate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of learning, teaching, or the school’s capacity for improvement. The report concludes that the inspectorate cannot assure parents of the quality of education provided and has designated the school a "high priority for future inspection with no further notice."

Strengths

• The previous inspection in December 2012 evaluated the school’s overall effectiveness as "very good."
• Children reported that they "feel safe in the school" and are aware of procedures for raising safety concerns.
• Evidence provided indicated that safeguarding arrangements were "satisfactory" and reflected relevant departmental guidance.

Areas to improve

• The school needs to complete the planned review of its safeguarding policies.
• There is a need to review door access to one mobile classroom to ensure the safety of children and staff is not compromised.
• The school must address the lack of co-operation that prevented the evaluation of learning, teaching, and self-evaluation processes.

Safeguarding

The report states that while arrangements were "satisfactory" and children felt safe, the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding" due to the industrial action.