Down High School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection evaluated Down High School’s capacity for self-evaluation and development planning. However, due to industrial action involving non-cooperation with the Education and Training Inspectorate, the report states that the ETI is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality education provided for the pupils.”

Strengths

• Pupil progress is monitored to identify underachievement, with interventions leading to improved post-16 outcomes, including “almost all of the Year 14 pupils progressing to higher education.”
• The school has prioritised “pupil emotional health and wellbeing initiatives,” appointing a wellbeing co-ordinator and focusing on resilience and meditation.
• Pupils participate in leadership roles such as student councils and peer mentoring, with forums prioritising “pupil voice” to identify areas for improvement.
• Academic results show improvement, with the percentage of pupils achieving A*-C grades at A-level rising from 76.7% in 2016 to 79.3% in 2018.

Areas to improve

• The school has identified the need to “analyse further the outcomes at grades A* to B at GCSE level” and monitor the gender gap in attainment.
• The school must review its anti-bullying and relationships and sexuality policies “in line with the latest DE guidance.”

Safeguarding

The report notes that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and pupils report feeling safe, though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate these arrangements due to the industrial action.