Carrickfergus Grammar School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly constrained by industrial action, as teachers refused to cooperate with the process. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate classroom teaching or fully assess the impact of improvement strategies. The report concludes that the ETI is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.”

Strengths

• The proportion of pupils attaining three or more grades A* to C at GCE A level improved from 64.9% in 2016 to 74.0% in 2019.
• The school has begun “tailoring the curriculum offer to meet more fully the needs, aspirations and career interests of all the pupils,” including introducing applied and general subjects at post-16.
• Pupils who met inspectors shared their views with “confidence and maturity,” highlighting the range of extra-curricular activities and rewards for positive contributions.
• Senior leaders cooperated regarding leadership and safeguarding responsibilities, and minor facility upgrades have been completed since the previous inspection.

Areas to improve

• The school must address the widening gap between male and female outcomes, particularly as attainment of seven or more GCSEs at grades A* to C remains below the Northern Ireland average.
• The school needs to continue reviewing pastoral policies to reflect recent departmental guidance and ensure the governing body completes arranged safeguarding training.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance by the Department of Education,” though full evaluation was prevented by industrial action, and pupils reported feeling safe and aware of procedures.