St. Michael’s & St. Patrick’s N.S.

Cootehall,

Boyle.

F52TV26

Roll Number 19720P

07196672764

www.cootehallns.com

cootehallns@gmail.com

 

OUR SCHOOL SELF-EVALUATION REPORT AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

September 2019

 

 

Introduction

School Context

  • This is a mixed rural primary school.
  • In the school year 2018-2019 there were 121 pupils on roll on September 30th and 123 pupils enrolled at the end of the school year.
  • There are 5 class teachers, 1 full time and 1 shared SET teacher based in the school.
  • The school administers standardised tests in Mathematics and English from 1st to 6th classes

The focus of this evaluation

We undertook self-evaluation of teaching and learning in Numeracy during the period of September 2018 to June 2019. We evaluated the teaching and learning across the whole school as part of the process

This is the report of the finding of the evaluation

 

OUR SCHOOL SELF-EVALUATION REPORT AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

 

Outcome of our last improvement plan from September 2018 to June 2019 was:

  1. Standardised test scores in Spelling improved this year on average by 2 points from last year.
  2. The pupil’s attitude towards spelling as evidenced by survey showed a ___% increase on previous survey.

In the last year, we have looked at teaching and learning in our school to find out what we are doing well.

This is some of what we discovered:

  1. Our students report feeling happy and safe at school.
  2. Standardised scores in Maths dropped from overall average SS is 107 from 2015-2018 to average SS of 103 though some variation may be due to introduction of new Drumcondra Standardised Maths test.
  3. Measures continue to be the lowest achieving content area of the test
  4. Standardised Test scores in English reading comprehension and vocabulary were above average on National norms.
  5. Students have a positive attitude towards Maths (72% of those surveyed).
  6. Only 18% of students surveyed report ICT is used often in Maths

 

 

This is what we did to find out what we were doing well, and what we could do better:

  1. We surveyed our students in relation to attitudes towards Literacy (again) and Numeracy.
  2. Teachers spent time in staff meetings reviewing present practice and sharing ideas.
  3. Standardised test scores in English spelling and Maths were analysed.
  4. Teachers reviewed maths equipment available to students in school.
  5. Teachers explored how ICT is used in our teaching and learning.
  6. Staff engaged the PDST for support and advice and engaged in in-service for the new language curriculum.

 

This is what we are now going to work on:

to develop consistent school wide approach and methodology for the teaching and learning of measures in Mathematics throughout the school and incorporate more ICT in our Maths teaching and learning.

We aim:

  1. to increase the average pupil’s standardised score in the Measures – Content Area of the Drumcondra Primary maths test by 2 points in their 2020 test
  2. to improve pupils’ attitude to Mathematics by 2% as evidenced by annual survey.
  3. Increase the use of ICT in maths class (as evidenced in teacher’s planning and annual survey by 25%).

This is what you can do to help:

  1. Revise tables with your child as part of their homework.
  2. Refer to clocks at home.
  3. Encourage the children to measure at home by following recipes, shopping etc.
  4. Encourage children to talk about their Maths work.
  5. Please report any difficulties your child is experiencing with their work in this area to their class teacher.
  6. Please feel free to discuss any queries you may have regarding your child with their class teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is some information about how we are carrying out our work and about what the Department of Education and Skills requires us to do.

School time and holidays

  • The Department requires all primary schools to have 183 school days each year.
    • This year we had 179 school days, from 30/08/2018 to 26/06/2019.
  • The Department sets out a standardised school year and school holidays.
    • This year we took all our school holidays within the permitted time.
  • The Department sets out arrangements for parent/teacher meetings and staff meetings.
    • This year we had 2 evenings afterschool for parent/teacher meetings and 8 staff meetings held outside school time, all in line with the Department’s regulations.

Looking after the children in our school

The Department requires schools to follow the Child Protection Procedures it has set down.

  • Our board of management has agreed in writing to do this. YES / NO
  • All teachers know about the Procedures and we have told all parents about them and how we follow them.                                          YES / NO
  • Our Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Cian Duffy and our Deputy DLP is Deirdre Brennan.

 

Enrolment and attendance

The Department requires schools to have and publish an admissions policy, to record and report attendance accurately, and to encourage high attendance and participation.

  • We have an admissions policy and it is published. YES / NO
  • We reviewed (and updated) our admissions policy in Dec 2018.
  • We keep accurate attendance records and report them as required.                                                                                       YES / NO
  • We encourage high attendance in the following ways:
  • Attendance is monitored daily,
  • School reviews Attendance strategy annually,
  • Attendance certificates are given for full attendance at end of term and end of school year.

 

This is how you can help:

  • ensure your child is punctual to school.
  • continue to stress the importance and value of going to school.
  • If your child is absent, please fill in absence note from school homework journal.
  • Please let the school know if there are any issues regarding your child and school.

 

Positive behaviour for a happy school

The Department requires schools to have a code of behaviour and asks us to consult parents and children about it.

  • We do this.                              YES / NO
  • Our code of behaviour describes and supports positive behaviour.                                                                              YES / NO
  • We have a very clear and high-profile anti-bullying policy in our school.                                                                    YES / NO

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Mathematics – Measures

September 2019 to June 2020
IMPROVEMENT PLAN CO-ORDINATOR:                 D. Brennan
 

TARGETS

 

 1.     to increase the average pupil’s standardised score in the Measures – Content Area of the Drumcondra Primary maths test by 2 points in their 2020 test

2.    to improve pupils’ attitude to Mathematics by 2% as evidenced by annual survey.

3.    Increase the use of ICT in maths class (as evidenced in teacher’s planning and annual survey).
ACTIONS Who?
1.   Inventory of Maths equipment in school to be retaken with particular focus on Measures strand.

2.   List of useful websites in teaching of Measures used by teachers to be drawn up.

3.   Timetable the teaching of Measures strand to be done throughout school year.

4.   To provide in-class support and use station teaching to provide hands-on activities in Maths throughout the school

5.   To devise a language check sheet for mathematical language relating to the Measures Strand that pupils should be able to use, read and write at each class level.

6.   All class teachers/LSRT teachers to have displays of mathematical language in classrooms and refer and read them regularly with class/individuals.

7.   PDST support to be sought in area of Mathematics

8.   Maths trails in Measures to be developed throughout school

9.   ICT Grants to be used to purchase ICT equipment and software for Mathematics Class

 

 

 

 1.   L.Conroy/ J Tiernan/ P Dwyer

2.   L.Conboy

 

3.   All Class teachers

 

4.   SET Teachers

 

 

5.   C. Duffy/C. Martin/ D. Brennan

 

 

6.   All Class Teachers

 

 

7.   Principal

8.   T. Tansey/ A Gilhooly

9.   Principal/ L. Conboy

A. Gilhooly

 

MONITORING:

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

5.      

  

Whole Staff / Co-ordinator

Principal

Relevant Teachers

Class Teachers

Children and Parents
EVAL UATION APPROACH:

·          

·          

·          

·         

·           

 EVALUATION TOOLS: 

1.     Drumcondra Standardised Mathematics test

2.     Pupil Survey

3.     Teacher Observation and Tests

4.     Focus Groups

 

 

 

 
NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS THROUGHOUT IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS:

·          

·          

·             

·            

 
TARGET ACHIEVED:
 

to increase the average pupil’s standardised score in the Measures – Content Area of the Drumcondra Primary maths test by 2 points in their 2020 test.

 

 Yes   No  
 

to improve pupils’ attitude to Mathematics by 2% as evidenced by annual survey.

 

 Yes   No  
Increase the use of ICT in maths class (as evidenced in teacher’s planning and annual survey).

 

 

 Yes   No