Ballymena Academy heartened by an ‘extremely positive’ Inspection

THE entire community of Ballymena Academy is celebrating after receiving a glowing Inspection Report which concluded that the quality of education provided by the school, in all areas inspected, is “very good”.

In their report, Inspectors said Ballymena Academy “is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the pupils; and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement”.

Celebrating the ETI Standard Inspection report, Principal Ronnie Hassard said: “The entire community of Ballymena Academy welcomes this affirmative and extremely positive report.

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“It confirms our caring ethos, exceptionally high quality education service and, most importantly, the very impressive results secured by our young people.

“The report recognises staff and governors’ commitment to self-evaluation and continuous improvement and there are helpful comments in support of that process”.

The Inspectors, who scrutinised all aspects of the school and observed 105 lessons across all subjects. pointed out in their key findings that “the quality of the provision for learning is very good” and “overall standards achieved by the pupils are very good”.

They found that the provision in science is “outstanding”, in mathematics “very good” and “good” in physical education.

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Inspectors also remarked that the teachers are extremely hard working and prepare thoroughly for lessons and that the overall quality of planning for learning is very good. - Eighty per cent of lessons were evaluated as “good to outstanding”.

The Report also found that ‘the behaviour of the pupils was excellent’; that ‘they are highly motivated, conscientious and very willing to learn’; ‘have excellent personal, social and independent learning skills’; and, that pupils attain very good standards at GCSE level and good standards overall at GCE A level.

The Report went on to highlight that...

* The overall quality of the care, guidance and support of pupils is very good.

* The Personal Development programme features well-targeted activities which encourage and support pupils in exploring personal and social issues.

* The quality of the pastoral care is very good.

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* The school has very good comprehensive arrangements in place for safeguarding pupils.

* The school gives very good attention to promoting healthy eating and physical activity, thereby encouraging the pupils to adopt healthy lifestyles

* The curricular provision for the pupils is very good. The school provides a suitably broad and balanced curriculum which meets the abilities and career aspirations of almost all of the pupils.

* The taught careers programme is well conceived and provides good opportunities for pupils to develop their self-awareness and the skills and qualities to support their progression to further study and employment.

* The leadership and the management are very good.

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* The Principal sets very high standards and expectations and works closely with the Deputy Principals and Vice Principal. They collectively provide very good leadership to value, challenge and support appropriately the staff.

* Senior leadership and middle management continue to identify and disseminate aspects of the very good and outstanding practice across the school.

Principal, Mr Hassard added: “There is no follow-up to the inspection and the culture of reflective practice is specifically commended in the report. We will sustain our focus on pupils’ well-being and attainment, using the report as the basis for further improvement, and we looK forward with renewed confidence but without complacency.

“We will continue to provide an education service which our pupils enjoy and from which they gain maximum benefit in a very good school which cares for the individual and inspires learning and achievement”.