10.4.2 Advice, evaluation and research

10.4.2 Advice, evaluation and research

During the phase of school reopening, the Inspectorate engaged in an extensive programme of advisory, support, evaluation and research work

A key focus for the Inspectorate during the phase of school reopening was on advising and supporting schools as their pupils and students settled back into the routine of school. Schools were offered an opportunity to participate in online Inspectorate-led advisory sessions that focused on student wellbeing, teaching and learning, assessment and the promotion of school self-evaluation. These advisory sessions also placed strong emphasis on the needs of children with SEN and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

During the period from September to December 2020, evaluation work focused on a small number of priority inspections, including the completion of inspections commenced prior to school closures, riskbased inspections such as child protection and safeguarding inspections (CPSIs), evaluations of special care units and urgent follow-through inspections. In addition, our programme of SSPS visits provided a level of assurance to both the Department and the public that schools were providing a safe working and learning environment for teachers, other school staff and for pupils and students.

159 COVID-19 response plan for the safe and sustainable operation of primary and special schools is available at: https://www.gov.ie/ en/publication/e1141-covid-19-response-plan-for-the-safe-and-sustainable-operation-of-primary-and-special-schools/ and COVID-19 Response plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of post-primary schools is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7acad-reopening-our-post-primary-schools/

The Inspectorate also engaged in an extensive programme of research work to identify and disseminate effective practice. This research involved:

■the collation and analysis of data from discussions with principals during advisory sessions in schools

■surveys of principals, pupils/students, teachers and parents

■focus groups with pupils/students

The Inspectorate conducted advisory sessions, surveys and pupil/student focus groups, and analysed the findings

Throughout the period September to December 2020, the Inspectorate conducted online advisory sessions with school principals and other school leaders. In total, 3,224 advisory sessions were conducted during this period. An analysis of data from the first phase of these advisory sessions (1 September to 25 September) was published in November 2020. During this period, a total of 738 advisory sessions took place: 533 at primary level and 205 at post-primary level. The purpose of the analysis was to:

■provide an overview of the successes and challenges experienced by schools during the period

of initial school reopening

■identify the main areas prioritised by schools for further advice and support

Another strand of the Inspectorate’s research involved the issuing of online surveys to teachers, pupils/ students, parents and principals. In total, 250 schools were involved in the first phase of these surveys which were conducted in October 2020. There were 8,423 responses from principals, teachers, parents and pupils/students.

As with the advisory sessions, a key purpose of the surveys was to provide an overview of the successes and challenges experienced by schools. An additional purpose was to identify specific issues relevant to primary, post-primary or the special schools’ sectors.

During this period, the Inspectorate also conducted focus group meetings with children and young people in a sample of primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of convening these focus groups was to listen to, and understand, children and young people’s experiences with a view to:

■informing policy decisions and providing further guidance and supports for schools, teachers

and pupils/students

■recognising good practice in schools through the lens of pupils’ and students’ experiences of

being back at school

■realising the Inspectorate’s commitment to capturing student voice

The paragraphs that follow summarise the key findings from this programme of advisory work, surveys and research.

Figure from page 296