Staff and pupils at Lisbellaw Primary School and Community Nursery are celebrating achieving top marks in a recent school inspection carried out by the Department of Education.
In the areas inspected, the quality of education provided by the school was described as, 'outstanding', and the Report noted that the educational and pastoral needs of pupils were being well met.
The Inspection focused on the quality of the working relationships, based on mutual respect and understanding throughout the school. It further commended the caring and supportive ethos of the school, its high quality of pastoral care provision and the contribution made by staff to the children's well-being and learning experiences, noting the strong and effective leadership of staff in their direction and oversight of pastoral care.
The Inspectorate team singled out the Principal, Valerie Adams for her vision, child-centred leadership and skilful management, including her commitment to the professional development of the teaching and support staff.
Staff are described as highly committed and hard-working, with a strong sense of team-work pervading the life and work of the school. The strong support of the Board of Governors and parents was also praised as was the school's central role within the community it serves.
The Report acknowledged the school's attention to promoting health and well-being, and commended the use of effective policies and programmes, such as the Smart Snacks initiative, healthy eating week, and effective links with catering staff, which encouraged the children to adopt healthy lifestyles.
The Inspectorate team praised the school's success in attaining several awards, including the Best WELB Kept School 2007, the Health Promoting School, Junior Industry Challenge and Eco School awards.
HIGH QUALITY
The high quality of the teaching was noted as was the school's accreditation as a dyslexic friendly school.
The cross-community nursery adjoining the school was commended for its strong sense of team-work, the Report noting the benefits from the valuable curricular and management links with the primary school.
It also acknowledged the quality of the interaction between the staff and the children in promoting children's oral language and thinking skills.
Staff provided sensitive support for children who they identified as having additional learning needs and encouraged children to become independent and make choices for themselves.
The nursery planning outlined a broad and balanced programme for the children and offered good opportunities for learning in all areas of the pre-school curriculum.
A significant strength, The Report went on, was the development of the children's early scientific skills through play with sand and water.
Principal Valerie Adams said she was delighted with the result:
"The school is a grade one of a grading system which is 1-6 and, so the Report states the quality of education provided in this school is outstanding," she said.
"I am particularly pleased that the inspection team mentioned the highly committed and hard- working staff because we have excellent teachers, classroom assistants, caretaker and secretary, mid-day supervisors and school meals staff. They all work well beyond the call of duty and put in long hours for the good of the children."
Mrs Adams said she was also pleased with the fact that the parents expressed strong support for the work of the school, many of whom worked voluntarily within the school as well as helping with PTA activities.
"The school is only one of six schools in Northern Ireland that has been accredited with the Dyslexia Friendly School award by the British Dyslexia Association." , she added.
