“Portadown College continues to demonstrate a high level capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners.” ETI, October 2016.
Portadown College recently celebrated affirmation of its high level capacity for sustained whole-school improvement through a successful ETI (Education and Training Inspectorate) Sustaining Improvement Inspection (SII).
In its last full inspection in February 2014, ETI evaluated Portadown College as very good, with the vast majority of lessons “very good or outstanding”. In particular, the inspection team observed: “The values evident throughout the provision made by the school, the leadership at all levels, the high quality of the teaching and of the learning experiences of the pupils all reflect fully the school’s motto, Fortiter et Humaniter.”
A customary process for schools deemed outstanding, very good or good through the full inspection process, the SII visit in October 2016 evaluated the College’s continuing capacity to effect improvement through self-evaluation and effective school development planning in two key areas: whole-school marking for improvement and literacy standards across the curriculum. Through scrutiny of student exemplar work, classroom visits and discussions with Heads of Department represenatives, senior leaders and the Chairman of the Board of Governors, inspectors were assured of the College’s ongoing improvement journey in the best interests of all its young people.
As part of the inspection, ETI visitors observed lessons where, “all of the learning and teaching…was effective, with three-quarters being highly effective” and in which students were, “actively engaged in peer and self marking for improvement”. In concluding, ETI was confident that, “Portadown College continues to demonstrate a high level capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners.”
College Principal, Mr Simon Harper, commended the achievement of staff and students in securing success: “This is the highest outcome that a school can receive. We are, needless to say, utterly delighted with this clear endorsement of our work and standards. Congratulations and thank you to all for achieving this superb outcome.”