TWO DONEGAL schools were included in a recent inspection report published by the Department of Education.

A total of 144 inspection reports were published on the Department of Education and Science website this week, including an inspection into Geography lessons at St Eunan's College, Letterkenny and the Science and Biology lessons at Crana College, Buncrana. Education Inspectors carried out 113 single subject inspections at Secondary level schools across the country.

No Donegal national schools were included in the published report.

Recommendations at St Eunan's College followed a two day inspection during which the inspector visited classrooms and observed teaching and learning.

The report found that the seven teacher Geography department displayed a "significant espirt de corps" and developed a comprehensive subject plan and offered professional support.

Learning was found to be "positive and focused in an affirming atmosphere".

Recommendations for future teaching included the re-introduction of a module into the Transition year programme. The inspector also advocated smaller group or pair work and recommended more assessment for small scale project work.

In Crana College the science and biology department also received praise for the teaching methods used and the pre-planning and laboratory work. Teachers were also congratulated for their efforts to involve science in co-curricular activities.

The one day evaluation report also recommended that junior classes be allocated an extra science class per week as recommended in the NCCA syllabus. Currently junior students attend science classes three times weekly. Senior biology students should be provided with a breakdown of the syllabus and that the science team include a percentage allocation for coursework or standard of notebooks in common tests.

Education reports can be viewed on line at www.education.ie