Primary schools: The latest raft of school inspection reports published yesterday highlight unacceptable levels of aggression in a small number of schools and sub-standard buildings in some areas.
But the overall tone of the reports is polite and any criticism tends to be mild.
The inspection reports give no information on exam results achieved by any school. Surprisingly, there is little in the reports on some of the key issues in education, including overcrowded classrooms, the lack of school planning in some new suburbs and the integration of newcomer children.
However, the 202 school inspection reports published on the Department of Education website do focus on the lack of computer facilities and secretarial back-up in some schools.
John Carr , INTO general secretary said the latest reports show the extent of department under-funding in primary education. One theme in most reports is the absence of basic school accommodation - the lack of basic facilities such as toilets, office space and discrete resource teaching rooms, he said.
The reports published yesterday include :
- 24 Whole School Evaluations (WSE) reports on primary schools;
- 11 WSE reports on post-primary schools;
- 162 subject inspection reports conducted in second-level schools;
- Three evaluations by inspectors of Youth Encounter Schools;
- Two evaluations by inspectors of Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres;
The department has now published over 350 inspection reports since February. It has been under pressure to provide more information on schools because of the popularity of school league tables in the media.
What the reports say: selected extracts
St Kevin's School, Infirmary Road, Cork (School caters for a group of marginalised students).
"The staff is highly commended for the positive manner in which they interact with the students . . . There is an unacceptably high degree of verbal abuse, violence and threatening behaviour in the school at present.
"The school building is a significant impediment to teaching and learning in St Kevin's."
Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin, Ballincollig, Cork
"There is a happy positive learning atmosphere evident in the school and a very capable staff . . ."
Scoil Muire agus Iosef Sinsear, Bayside, Dublin 13
"A structural engineer's report has indicated recently that there are certain cracks in the walls of the hall that do not pose an immediate threat to safety at present but that will need to be dealt with in the future."
Mocomhog National School, Kealkill, Bantry, Co Cork
"Pupils display exceptional mannerly behaviour, ably supported by a teaching staff dedicated to the holistic development of each pupil . . . The recording of pupils' progress and greater exploration of team teaching merits further attention."
Youth Encounter Project, Main Street, Finglas, Dublin
"This school caters successfully for a group of students who present with limited skills in literacy and numeracy and, for many, with significant behavioural difficulties.
"The school is staffed by highly committed and dedicated people.The accommodation in St Paul's is entirely unsuited to the needs of the education of these students.There is an absence of secretarial support . . ."
St Augustine's Special School, Limerick
"The school operates effectively despite the very poor condition of the school building.The school could benefit considerably from regular access to NEPS and other clinical psychological services."
St Mary's NS Ballyconnell Co Carlow
The school avails of the local parish hall for PE lessons. Access to this hall raises issues regarding the safety of the pupils in crossing the road.
Corcreagh National School, Shercock, Co Cavan
It is recommended that the school make application to the Department of Education and Science for grant aid towards the cost of extending teaching, administration and storage space and of providing staff toilet facilities.