In order to promote improvement in the interests of all pupils, the purpose of a post-primary inspection is, through an effective linking of internal and external approaches, to:

• evaluate the quality of the provision and the outcomes for the pupils;
• evaluate the school’s leadership and management and its capacity to
• effect and sustain improvement in its provision and standards; and
• inform the school’s planning for improvement.

In addition to the focus on English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy, there was a supplementary subject focus on modern languages in this inspection.

Some of the main findings of the Inspection were as follows:

Overall Effectiveness – The school has a high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners. (This is the very highest level possible in this category).
Achievements and standards – Very Good
Provision for learning – Very Good
Leadership and management – Very Good

Quotes from the Inspectorate include:

“The quality of care and support is very effective. The whole-school strategy of ‘championing the child’ underpins the outstanding child centred provision throughout the school.

The school gives a high priority to developing a broad, balanced and flexible curriculum, which meets well the wide-ranging needs and aspirations of individual pupils and ensures appropriate progression opportunities into continuing education and employment. There is a bespoke curriculum for pupils.

The standards attained by the pupils in public examinations at Key Stage 4 are outstanding.

The standards obtained by the pupils’ in English are outstanding.

The standards attained by the pupils in mathematics arevery good.

The standards attained by the pupils in modern languages are very good.

At GCE A Level, the pupils’ attainment in Irish is very high; over the last three years, almost all of the pupils attained grades A* to B and it is noteworthy that in 2015 all of the pupils attained at grades A* to A.

Over the last three years, the attainment of five or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A* to C, including English and mathematics, by pupils entitled to free school meals, is well above the NI average. The achievements of the pupils in the LSC are outstanding.

The percentage of pupils attaining three or more GCE A levels or equivalent at grades A* to C is significantly above the average for non-selective schools.

The pupils benefit from an outstanding programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance.

The percentage of pupils progressing to higher education courses is well above the NI average for non-selective schools.’

One member of the inspection team described the College as “A big school with a small school feel.”

As you can see, we have reason to be very proud of the College.

A full copy of the Report can be viewed here: