The Royal School Armagh

Overview

The Royal School Armagh continues to demonstrate a "high level of capacity for sustained improvement" following a previous evaluation of "very good" overall effectiveness. The inspection confirmed that the school is effectively using self-evaluation and development planning to drive progress, with particular success in raising academic outcomes and embedding robust pedagogic practices.

Strengths

• The school has been "diligent in its review and use of qualitative and quantitative data" to identify and address under-attainment, leading to improved GCSE and A-level results.
• Tailored initiatives, such as the "setting targets and achieving results programme (STAR)", are having a "positive impact on the outcomes attained by the pupils," including a rise in boys attaining high grades.
• Staff have worked "to good effect" to embed a wider range of pedagogic methodologies in Key Stages 3 and 4, resulting in high pupil engagement and motivation.
• The quality of teaching is strong, with "almost all of the lessons observed... effective" and around two-thirds rated as "very effective" in promoting deeper learning.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement, noting that the school is successfully sustaining its high standards and capacity for improvement.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that arrangements for safeguarding "continue to reflect the guidance issued by the relevant Departments."