Lisburn school baffled by viability reports

Laurelhill Community College shows all the signs of performing well, according to reports published on the SE Education Board website this week.

Laurelhill Community College was placed into formal intervention last year, however according to the report, the school met the three criteria used - educational experience, stable enrolment and sound financial position - to have a viable future.

The only minus was that it was in formal intervention.

Principal, Mr James Martin, said he found it difficult to understand the report, the reasons for the school being placed in formal intervention or the benefit of making the reports public.

“Our viability report is coming out positively on the three criteria used,” said Mr Martin. “The only ‘stress factor’ mentioned was the formal intervention, which they lumbered us with.

“The Education Minister seems to have put this out to look at school estates and finances and they are using different criteria to that used by the Inspectorate. I really haven’t got my head around it.”

Mr Martin said he did not feel the reports were helpful for parents or pupils and encouraged prospective pupils to visit the schools in person rather than relying on reports.

“These reports are very confusing for parents,” he continued. “These are not helpful. You cannot depend on a report, parents need to go and look at the school in detail, pick up personal testimonies from pupils, go to open nights, have a look at the school’s ethos and see which school will suit their child.”

Mr Martin concluded: “These crude measures are not designed to help parents but may be to help decision making at a government level.”

Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig, who is also a member of the Education Committee at Stormont, said the publication of the reports on education board websites was ordered by the Education Minister, against the wishes of the Committee.

Mr Craig also said the reports were “flawed” and were not an accurate portrayal of schools. “These reports are just a snapshot of a school and do not show where the school is going.

“Parents know how well a school is doing from their children and if they are not happy they vote with their feet.

“My experience is that this is an excellent school and it is time that silly nonsense like these reports stop. It doesn’t do schools, parents or children any favours,” he concluded.

[email protected]