Ballyclare High School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning the ETI was “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided.” Consequently, no performance levels were assigned for outcomes, provision, or leadership. Despite these limitations, the report notes that pupils were “courteous, confident and articulate” and that examination results in most subjects remained in line with or above Northern Ireland averages.

Strengths

• Pupils displayed “very positive dispositions to the school” and reported feeling “safe and secure.”
• There are “significant levels of pupil participation and achievement” in sporting, musical, and cultural pursuits.
• The curriculum is described as “broad and balanced,” with “well-established collaboration” with a neighbouring school extending post-16 options.
• Governance arrangements were evaluated positively, with governors described as “committed” and “supportive.”
• The school has “very well-developed systems” for gathering and analysing performance data.

Areas to improve

• The school development plan contains “too many” action plans which “should be prioritised by the senior leaders.”
• Monitoring and evaluation processes show “undue variation” and need to be applied “more consistently and systematically across all subjects.”
• Significant water damage in the assembly hall is “impacting adversely on the use of this space.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “satisfactory arrangements for safeguarding reflect broadly the guidance issued by the relevant Departments,” though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their outworking due to the industrial action.