Averil Power

The Department of Education has just published a number of  reports on Coláiste Dhúlaigh Post Primary School following inspections carried out in November 2010.

All schools are inspected by the Department every few years and since 2006 those reports have been published on the internet.

The reports published today include a Whole School Evaluation of the school and its overall learning environment along with separate reports on the standards of teaching in their French, Geography, Mathematics and Social, Personal and Health Education programmes.

The following are the main strengths identified in the evaluation:

• Consistent and long-term efforts have been put in place to make the experience of being in school more enjoyable for students.
• The school is inclusive and student care is a core value. Students with additional learning needs are well supported through a wide variety of interventions.
• Senior management share a vision for the school and work as an effective team. Their management style is open and consultative.
• The school has a committed and well qualified staff.
• The school has been proactive in countering the poor attendance of some students.
• Through links with the NBSS, the school is reviewing the current code of conduct and has already introduced several new approaches to classroom management.
• Strong links have been established with a range of outside agencies to support programmes and individual students in the school.
• A broad range of subjects and programmes is offered to students. Each of the programmes is effectively co-ordinated.
• There were some commendable examples of teachers using assessment for learning strategies.
• A wide variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities is on offer including activities that enhance the social, cultural and academic development of students.

As a means of building on these strengths and to address areas for development, the following key recommendations are made:

The board should be more proactive in leading the school’s agenda for change, improvement and development. Several policy documents need to be developed, as a matter of urgency.
• DEIS planning should be progressed with particular emphasis on a whole-school approach to the development of literacy and numeracy.
• The length of the school week falls short of the twenty-eight hours contact time for students. Management must ensure that the school complies with Circular Letter M29/95 Time in School.
• All teachers’ timetables should be reviewed by senior management and the CDVEC to ensure that the teaching hours provided for by the Department are being fully and appropriately utilised.
• Many subject department planning documents need further development. There should be a focus on the development of literacy and numeracy, sharing of resources, integration of ICT into lessons and, in particular, the raising of academic expectations.
• The ongoing discussions around introducing mixed-ability class arrangements across all year groups and the broadening of the JCSP provision to all classes within junior cycle should be concluded in time for any changes to be implemented by the beginning of the next school year.

To read the full text of the inspection reports, click on the relevant heading below:
WSE
French
Geography
Mathematics
SPHE