St Patrick's Primary School

Overview

The inspection was significantly limited by industrial action, with almost all teachers refusing to cooperate with inspectors. 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

• The work of the choir observed during the inspection was described as "outstanding".
• Children reported that they "feel safe in the school" and are aware of procedures for raising safety concerns.
• Safeguarding arrangements were found to "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education".

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, school governors, and staff must plan for and manage issues related to the "sustainability of the school provision and school budget".
• The school needs to address "current and future needs of the children and the staff" amidst the industrial dispute.

Safeguarding

The report states that while arrangements reflect Departmental guidance and children feel safe, the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding in the school" due to the action short of strike.