Fivemiletown Primary School are celebrating achieving top marks in a recent school inspection carried out by the Department of Education.
The inspection focused on the work in the Mathematics Department, and the effectiveness of the school's special educational needs provision. In addition, it also evaluated the work in information and communication technology in promoting and supporting learning and teaching in mathematics and the school's procedures for pastoral care, including child protection.
David Thompson, the School's Acting Principal reported that the school governors had expressed their confidence in the school.
"The Inspectorate team', he went on, " highlighted how staff work hard to create an attractive, friendly and caring learning environment for the children. They identified the strong community atmosphere that pervades the school, knowing that this is based on very good working relationships at all levels."
The Team had recorded how the school gave excellent attention to promoting health and well-being, including opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity.
In their Report, the inspectors noted that the school describes itself as a, 'talking' school where the children were confident to talk to teachers or other adults working in the school if they had a problem or a concern.
Mr Thompson said the School was continually indebted to the continuous efforts of the Parents' Aid Group and that this was acknowledged by the Inspectorate team who identified the school had established very good links with the parents.
Irwin Lapsley, the chairperson of the Group, congratulated the Principal (Miss Houston) and her staff on the excellent inspection report. He commented: 'The school has established very strong links with the parents, and it is very encouraging to witness the support given to our group by the teaching staff'.
During the inspection the quality of the teaching observed ranged from very good to excellent. Within all lessons the children were noted as being motivated and responsive and the lessons were well-structured, paced and differentiated to meet the needs of the children. The school was well equipped to support learning and teaching through the use of ICT.
It was evident to the Inspectorate team that teachers mark the children's written work regularly and add supportive comments.
Speaking as a parent, Allan Montgomery said he was 'absolutely delighted' with the excellent Inspection Report.
" This is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of all the staff of the school who are more than deserving of the accolades therein. I am also pleased to see that the children were given credit for being courteous to visitors and for displaying exemplary behaviour. They should all be very proud of receiving such a positive Report'.
Fivemiletown Primary School has procedures in place to identify those children who need help with aspects of their reading, writing, mathematics and behaviour. The school makes effective use of outside agencies to assist with diagnosis and to support SEN provision within the school.
The Inspectorate team described the school Principal, Miss Houston, as a committed and effective leader who had worked diligently to establish a strong team spirit among the dedicated and hard-working staff, ably supported by her Vice-principal, the staff and the governors.
David Thompson, the acting Principal, said the parents could have confidence in the school's capacity for sustained self-improvement as no follow-inspection is required.
