School Response to the Report

Submitted by the Board of Management

Area 1:  Observations on the content of the inspection report

 The Board of Management is very happy to accept the Final Report.  It is satisfied that this was a necessary exercise in accountability conducted in a very professional manner by an expert team from the Inspectorate.  The process made a profound impact on all the staff who serve at Beech Hill College.  The process not only identified and affirmed good practice but it also made recommendations which will enhance the education service which the College will deliver into the future.  The impact on staff morale from a positive Report of this type by an independent outside body cannot be accurately quantified.

The Board of Management noted in particular the following sentences that accurately identify the characteristic spirit of the school and the professionalism and dedication of the staff.

1. THE QUALITY OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT:  The characteristic spirit of the school as summarised in the Mission Statement was identified as follows:

• “were seen in the daily interactions of the staff and students and it was noted that a caring and friendly atmosphere predominated the learning and working environment”.
• “the students met by the evaluation team commented on the friendly and respectful rapport between staff and students”.
• “the students described the school as a friendly place with a good atmosphere and praised the many teachers who were supportive and generous with their time, particularly outside of school hours”.
• “the Parents’ Council drew attention to the school’s open door policy and the open and caring atmosphere in the school”.
• “members of the Board of Management emphasised the goodwill and commitment shown by teachers to their students both in the classroom and through the many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities taking place”.

2. THE QUALITY OF CURRICULUM PROVISION:

• “The school is commended for providing a wide range of programmes and subjects that maintains breadth and balance between technological, scientific, aesthetic and academic education.  This also reflects the commitment of the school to cater for the range of abilities and needs of its students and it gives expression to the inclusive nature of the school”.
• “Beech Hill College is commended for the arrangements made to provide students and their parents with comprehensive and timely information regarding programmes ands subject choice”.
• “The school is highly commended for offering students a diverse range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities”.

3. THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:

·         “It was evident that learning activities were planned to match the range of abilities in classes”.

·         “A range of methodologies was employed in the lessons visited.  These included visual approaches, use of ICT, role play, pair and group work, case studies, discussion, worksheets, workbooks”.

4. QUALITY OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS:

·         “Beech Hill College places a high priority on ensuring that appropriate and effective pastoral care systems are in operation in the school”.

·         “The Class Tutor system is a core feature of the pastoral care structure in the school and tutors have ten minutes’ daily contact with the class group for which they are responsible”.

·         “Provision is made for students with special educational needs (SEN) in line with allocated resources for learning support and resource hours.  Members have developed their expertise in these areas and the level of organisation and policy development in the SEN department is commended”.