School delighted after De La Salle gets A-grade inspection

School delighted after De La Salle gets A-grade inspection

29 April 2015

THE chairman of De La Salle High School’s Board of Governors has spoken of his delight after school inspectors said they were “blown away” by school practice.

Mr Fintan McGrady said he was extremely pleased but not surprised by the excellent feedback from a recent inspection.

After being classed as one of the area’s outstanding and very good schools in an inspection in 2012,  the Downpatrick secondary was chosen to take part in the pilot of a Sustaining Improvement Inspection (SII). 

This meant the local school had to demonstrate that it was sustaining high-quality provision and continually raising standards. 

Inspectors visited the school to observe lessons, conduct interviews with teachers and pupils as well as analysing relevant data prompting them to comment that they were “blown away” by the practice used.  

Praising the trusted colleague network for supporting open, honest professional discussion, inspectors said they were also impressed with the dynamic nature of the school’s action plans and with the high quality of literacy provision.

Early intervention methods, they noted, led to higher achievement. 

From lessons observed they said it was also clear that pupils were taking control of their learning through iPads.