St. Muredach’s College Self-Evaluation Report and Improvement Plan 2023-2024
Introduction
This document outlines the outcomes of our School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process and presents our current improvement plan. It includes specific targets and the actions we are implementing to achieve these goals.
Key Target Areas for Evaluation
- Teaching & Learning:
Enhancing student engagement by adopting active learning methodologies, such as group work and collaborative activities, and incorporating student feedback to personalise and improve learning experiences.
- Amplifying Student Voice:
Empowering students to take an active role in decision-making and school-wide initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility.
- Curriculum Review:
Conducting a thorough review of the existing curriculum to evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of adopting 1-hour or 58-minute class durations.
- Digital Integration:
Expanding the use of digital tools, such as digital portfolios, to support continuous improvement and align with Assessment for Learning (AfL) principles.
Data Gathering
Data was collected through surveys, focus groups, and meetings with students, parents, and staff. This feedback provided a well-rounded understanding of current practices, challenges, and opportunities for growth within the identified target areas.
School Improvement Plan 2023-2024
Target 1: Enhance Student Engagement in Learning
Actions Taken:
- Formation of a Learning and Teaching Team:
A team was established to support staff in adopting innovative teaching and learning strategies, with a focus on incorporating active learning methodologies such as group discussions, project-based learning, and collaborative activities.
- Introduction of TeachMeets:
Regular TeachMeets have been initiated to foster collaboration and facilitate the sharing of ideas and best practices among teachers, specifically focusing on active learning approaches to align with inspectorate recommendations.
- Development of a New Learning and Teaching Policy:
Work has commenced on drafting a comprehensive policy to embed effective teaching strategies, including student-centred and interactive methodologies, into everyday practice.
- Promotion of Group Work:
Group work has been emphasised as a key strategy to enhance student engagement and participation.
Target 2: Amplify Student Voice
Actions Taken:
- Strengthening the Student Council's Role:
Increased leadership opportunities have been provided to members of the Student Council and the wider student body.
- Green Schools Initiative:
The establishment of a Green Schools Committee resulted in achieving our first Green Flag.
- Promotion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Secured an ESD grant to support gardening and sustainability projects in alignment with our SDG efforts.
- Implementation of the SPOTLITE Programme:
This programme facilitates regular feedback sessions where students can share insights on effective teaching strategies, which are then shared and implemented by staff.
- Greater Student Involvement:
Students have taken a more active role in planning and executing school-wide initiatives, policy design, and curriculum planning.
Target 3: Conduct a Comprehensive Curriculum Review
Actions Taken:
- School-Wide Curriculum Discussions:
Discussions have been initiated to explore ways to enhance the curriculum to better serve student needs.
- Establishment of a Curriculum Audit Team:
A team was formed to evaluate the feasibility and implications of transitioning to 1-hour or 58-minute classes.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
Input was gathered from students, parents, and teachers to ensure a diverse range of perspectives were considered.
Target 4: Enhance Digital Integration
Actions Taken:
- Adoption of Digital Portfolios:
Promoted the use of digital portfolios to track student progress and encourage self-assessment and peer feedback.
- Teacher Training:
Professional development sessions were conducted to train teachers in using digital tools for formative assessment.
Findings of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE)
Teaching & Learning
- Teachers are enthusiastic about adopting innovative teaching strategies.
- Existing practices encourage collaboration, with TeachMeets serving as an effective platform for sharing best practices.
- Students reported high levels of engagement in classes that integrate varied teaching methodologies.
Student Voice
- The Student Council is an active and influential body, with members increasingly engaged in school decision-making.
- The SPOTLITE Programme has been well-received, providing a structured way for students to offer feedback on teaching strategies.
- Green Schools initiatives and sustainable development projects have significantly increased student participation in extracurricular activities.
Curriculum Review
- Stakeholders, including staff, students, and parents, expressed a willingness to explore changes to the structure of the school timetable.
- Preliminary findings highlighted many potential benefits to the proposed changes to class durations.
Digital Integration
- Digital tools, such as digital portfolios, have been positively embraced by both students and teachers as effective resources for monitoring progress and promoting self-assessment.
- Teachers are increasingly confident in incorporating technology into their teaching practices following targeted training sessions.
Conclusion
The findings of the SSE indicate that the school is making significant progress in fostering student engagement, amplifying student voice, and adopting innovative practices in teaching and learning. These strengths will serve as the foundation for further developments in the next phase of our improvement plan.
Next Steps
Building on the progress achieved during this cycle, the school will set actionable goals for the 2024-2025 academic year to maintain a commitment to continuous improvement, aligning with both national and school-specific priorities.
In line with the requirement for all schools and centres for education to initiate a wellbeing promotion review and development cycle by 2025, we will integrate a comprehensive wellbeing review into our SSE process for the 2024-2025 academic year. This will ensure that wellbeing is a core component of the school’s ongoing improvement plan.