Dunsford school praised for top care

Dunsford school praised for top care

12 September 2012

ST Mary’s Primary School in Dunsford has excelled in a recent inspection.

Inspectors, who visited the school in June, have published a glowing report, applauding the school’s outstanding pastoral care of its children and the very good quality of education.

St. Mary’s Primary School caters for 86 children on a rural site two miles outside Ardglass.

Inspectors said the children were highly motivated throughout the school, demonstrating “exemplary behaviour.”

All of the teaching observed by inspectors was described as “good or very good” with the teachers found to have high expectations of themselves and the children.

The quality of leadership and management of the school under its principal, Mr. John Magee, was also found to be very good and he was considered to enjoy the strong support of teachers, parents and governors.

“The principal leads the school very effectively,” he said.

“He has promoted a team ethos in which all members of the school community are involved in the decision-making process.

“He enjoys the strong support of all of the teachers, the parents and the governors in managing the school improvement process.”

Inspectors noted that 20 per cent of children at the school require additional support with their learning and inspectors found the provision for special educational needs to be very good.

They reported that the children benefit from effective in-class support and withdrawal sessions as well as booster classes.

Pastoral care at St. Mary’s Primary School was found to be outstanding with the ethos of mutual respect characterised by excellent working relationships at all levels.

“The school focuses effectively on meeting the needs of all of the children and develops well the children’s sense of personal responsibility through the buddy system and school council,” the inspectors noted.

“The school has comprehensive arrangements in place for safeguarding children. It also gives very good attention to promoting healthy eating and physical activity through the effective emphasis placed on healthy breaks and the very good opportunities for physical activity in timetabled classes and after-school sports clubs.”

Mr. Magee said he was absolutely delighted with the report, which he said endorses the high regard in which the school is held by parents and the local community.

“This report also reaffirms the very good practice that permeates all aspects of school life in St. Mary’s and I would like to thank governors, teachers and all staff for their commitment to the education and well being of the children in the school.”