Improvements at St Paul’s but not in English

The latest report reflects a significant improvement in standards and has been welcomed by Principal Mr Sean Flanagan.

While praising the school’s achievements, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) noted a drop in English standards from 47% of students who attained English at GCSE in 2008 to just 7% in 2013.

However, the report noted that there had been ‘significant staff changes’ in the English department since the original inspection.

It found the most important improvements included a positive working relationship between pupils and teachers, the quality of the arrangements for pastoral care which is now very good plus the significant increase in the proportion of pupils attaining grades A*-C in five or more subjects at GCSE.

Mr Flanagan said: “The inspectors were impressed by the positive working relationships between pupils and teachers in all the lessons observed. They commended the stimulating learning environment and assessed 89% of the lessons observed as good or better. The inspectors regarded the quality of pastoral care to be very good with teaching and learning meeting the personal and social needs of the pupils. The inspectors recognised that the school was doing all that it could at Key Stage 4 to meet the needs of pupils and the Entitlement Framework through extensive collaboration arrangements. The examination results at Key Stage 4 were significant given that over 65% of pupils transfer to the Grammar school at the end of year 10.

He said the inspectors praised various aspects of school life and complimented the effectiveness of the Senior Leadership Team and Middle Managers. Mr Flanagan expressed his deep appreciation to staff and pupils: “The report reflected the just achievements of staff and pupils through their sheer hard work.”