Ballynahinch school praised by inspectors

Ballynahinch school praised by inspectors

24 April 2013

ST. Patrick’s Primary School in Ballynahinch is “very effectively” meeting the educational and pastoral needs of its children, according to a recent inspection report.

The school, along with Magheradroll Nursery Unit, was also assessed as having a “very good” standard of education by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), who noted it had demonstrated a capacity for “sustained self-improvement”.

Among the achievements highlighted are St. Patrick’s “outstanding” provision for special educational needs, teaching ranging from satisfactory to outstanding, with the majority of teaching being very good or outstanding, strong leadership from senior management and “excellent” behaviour from the children themselves.

“They are highly motivated and engage enthusiastically in their learning,” the report reads. “They work independently and interact well with their peers and adults. By the end of Key Stage 2 almost all of the children make steady progress and attain standards in line with their ability.”

And of the nursery unit, the report states: “The development of the children’s language and communication skills and of their understanding of early mathematical concepts is a particular strength of the nursery unit’s provision.”

Principal Paul Coulter said he was delighted with the findings of the report.

“I believe that the report fully reflects the excellent provision which exists in St. Patrick’s Primary School and Magheradroll Nursery Unit and gives our staff and school community the recognition that they deserve,” he said.

“I believe that there is a wonderful ethos for learning in St. Patrick’s Primary School and Magheradroll Nursery Unit, with a staff and school community that put the children at the heart of everything they do. It came as no surprise when the inspection report found the arrangements for pastoral care to be outstanding.”

Mr. Coulter said he was also pleased to see that the professionalism and dedication of his staff was recognised.

“Our teachers strive to ensure that every child’s learning is stimulating, challenging and enjoyable,” he said.

“In our school and nursery every effort is made to develop every child and I believe that our special needs provision received the recognition it deserved with the report evaluating it as being outstanding.”

Mr. Coulter also paid tribute to his “tremendous non-teaching staff”, the staff of the nursery school and the children themselves.

“Our school and nursery are blessed with wonderful children who always give of their best and we strive to ensure that they make excellent progress,” he said.

The ETI report noted that enrolment has risen at the school from 184 to 205 children in the last four years.