Success for Poytnzpass school after inspection

A POYNTZPASS Primary School is celebrating following a successful inspection, highlighting especiallyits emergence from the amalagamation of two previously spearate schools.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2012, 08:34 BST

St Joseph and St James’s PS Poyntzpass - which was born from the amalgamation of the two primaries in Tandragee and Poyntzpass - achieved an overall “Very Good” rating in the inspection carried out by the ETI on behalf of the Department of Education.

This positive inspection reportis the latest of many success for the school including the Investors In People Award; The Eco school Green Flag and recognition from UNICEF through the Rights Respecting School Award gained last summer.

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The Inspection team spent two very thorough days in the school, gleaning information through questionnaires completed by school staff and parents. The inspectors also met with a group of parents including members of the ‘Friends of St.Joseph and St.James’s PS’ parent support group and School Governors.

The Inspection team noted that “the excellent quality of the pastoral care is a key strength within the school”. It also noted that the “inclusive child-centred ethos and caring, supportive atmosphere is built on mutual respect at all levels”. The pupils’ behaviour during the inspection was described as “exemplary”.

The Inspectors stated that principal Paddy McAllister had shown effective leadership in the successful amalgamation of St James’s Tandragee with St Joseph’s Poyntzpass and also found that there was a culture of self-evaluation leading to continuous improvement among the whole staff. It also stated that the whole school community is given an opportunity to contribute to the improvement process.

Overall the inspectors found the quality of education provided by this school is “very good” and that “the school is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the children”.

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Welcoming the report the school principal, Mr Paddy McAllister, said, “The whole school community is absolutely delighted with the inspection report that validates the excellent work of the school.

“We made it very clear to the Inspection Team that what they had seen was a result of four years highly structured school development that is very inclusive of the whole school community.

“This development has focused on the needs of the children. It must be remembered that the success of the school is only made possible through the extremely high level of commitment and dedication of the entire school staff.

“My personal thanks go out to the all the adults, staff and parents and especially to the pupils who are a credit to themselves, their families and to their school.”

The overall result of the school inspection means that there will be no follow-up inspection for the school.