Grammar is praised by school inspectors

Grammar is praised by school inspectors

7 May 2014

PUPILS of St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick thrive in an atmosphere of enquiry and intellectual challenge, according to the findings of a newly published inspection report.

The report follows an inspection of the school in February and focuses on the quality of provision and outcomes for pupils, leadership and management and the school’s planning for improvement.

The children, who were found to enjoy the Lasallian educational ethos of empathy and service, attain very good standards at all levels with “outstanding” examination outcomes at GCSE level.

Inspectors note that the the percentage of pupils attaining seven or more GCSE examinations at grades A*-C, including English and mathematics, is “significantly above” the Northern Ireland average for similar schools.

The teachers were praised for preparing well and providing well-structured lessons which ranged from satisfactory to outstanding with three quarters classed as good or very good in equal measure.

The quality of learning and teaching at Key Stage Four was considered to be a particular strength of the school with three quarters of lessons at this level considered to be very good or outstanding.

Sixth form pupils were found to have “excellent leadership opportunities”, which encourages them to develop their individual interests and skills through the provision of extended volunteering opportunities in a range of community-based settings.

Strategic leadership at the school was also considered to be “outstanding” with members of the senior leadership team complementing and supporting each other well to realise fully the school’s strategic curricular and pastoral objectives.

“The principal has managed well the new school build,” inspectors wrote.

“He and the vice-principal inspire a high level of respect among the staff and pupils; with the individual needs of pupils being given paramount consideration.

“Overall the quality of leadership and management at all levels is very good.”

“In all areas inspected, the quality of education provided by the school is very good. The school is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the pupils, and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement.”

School principal, Mr. Sean Sloan, said St. Patrick’s Grammar School was “exceptionally pleased with the report”, which he said fully endorses their vision for the future.

“St. Patrick’s is a school, which prides itself on putting the pupils at the centre of all our decisions whether that is the learning in the classroom, engaging with the local community and in the development of the whole individual,” he said.

He added that he was delighted that the dedication and professionalism of the teaching and support staff had also been recognised by the Inspectorate and that inspectors had left the school “confident that St. Patrick’s is a happy school where the views of staff, pupils and parents are always taken into account in the decision-making process.”