This article is from page 24 of the 2007-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
AN east Clare school has scored top marks in areport issued by the De- partment of Education and Science.
Ballybrohan National School was characterised as having a ‘warm child-friendly atmosphere’ and praised for the high standards achieved by pupils in language, lit- eracy and mathematics.
The school is also commended for the very good quality of teaching and learning in evidence and the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.
However the report also notes that with enrolment numbers expected to rise in the immediate future, there will be further pressure on the school to expand.
Ballybrohan was one of 144 pri- mary and post primary schools sur- veyed nationwide.
Ballybrohan National School is a four-teacher co-educational primary school situated approximately half way between the towns of Scariff and Killaloe. The school is under the patronage of the Catholic bishop of the diocese of Killaloe.
The report states “the school mis- sion statement, as well as reflecting its Catholic ethos, also promotes partnership between the school, par- ents and the wider community in an atmosphere of mutual respect”.
The school serves mainly the fami- lies living locally and the number of pupils now attending stands at 105. The school also has a class for pupils
on the autistic spectrum with four pupils presently in attendance.
During the evaluation, the inspec- tors held pre-evaluation meetings with the principal, the teachers, the school’s board of management, and representatives of the parents’ as- sociation. The evaluation was con- ducted over a number of days during which inspectors visited classrooms and observed teaching and learning.
It also comments on the relation- ship between school management and the parents association.
‘Parents have been involved in the formation of a number of school pol- icies particularly in the areas of be- haviour, enrolment and homework.”
“The parents’ association officers stated that parents are made welcome
in the school and it was reported that the concerns of the members of the association are dealt with promptly by teachers and board of manage- ment. Communication among the as- sociation, the board of management and the teachers is satisfactory.”
The report recommends “that greater emphasis be placed on the development of the local History and Geography, and the use of informa- tion and communications technology (ICT) as a tool in the investigation and presentation of findings should be further expanded”.
‘“Post-evaluation meetings were held with the staff and board of man- agement where the draft findings and recommendations of the evaluation were presented and discussed.”