TROUBLED De La Salle College is to face its second independent review - this time in relation to child safeguarding.
A report published last week concluded there had been a serious breakdown of working relationships which impacted substantially on pupils.
An independent panel made 40 recommendations to resolve a "wide range of issues".
The three-person panel's report referenced a safeguarding incident in October last year which "became a significant turning point".
It was not appropriate for the panel to investigate or make comment on the specifics of that incident, the report added, as it was subject to legal proceedings and employment procedures.
The incident in question involved a member of staff and a 13-year-old boy at the west Belfast school on October 14, which was central to an escalation in tensions between staff and management.
Caretaker Eileen Hall (58), who has been employed by the school for 35 years, was suspended within hours of the incident.
Flowing from this, the report read, there were several developments which "significantly disrupted the normal functioning of the school".
Up to 15 of the 70-strong teaching staff called in sick on four separate days in one week in November. Teachers also stood in silence outside their classrooms for a short period in a show of solidarity with their disciplined colleague Mrs Hall.
In June this year, Mrs Hall from Colinbrook Park in Dunmurry was cleared when she had a charge of common assault against her dismissed at Laganside magistrates court.
Now, the Department of Education has confirmed that the school will face a separate "independent external review of safeguarding policies, practice, training and understanding in relation to safeguarding issues" as soon as possible.
"It has not yet been confirmed who will carry out the review," a department spokeswoman added.
A parents' group noted the review.
"The Concerned Parents Committee have been advised that following the concerns that were confirmed regarding the serious child protection issues there will now be a full and thorough independent investigation into child protection safeguarding procedures and responsibilities," it said.
"All those authorities and persons responsible for safeguarding our children will be subject to this investigation."
De La Salle principal Claire White has been absent since the middle of April and no time scale has been given by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools for her return.
The school will begin the new year under the leadership of an acting principal. Vice-principal Marion O'Neill, who has been in charge since June, will continue as head.
Dr Martin Knox, principal of St Eugene's College in Roslea, has been seconded to De La Salle as vice principal with curricular responsibility.
There will be an internal trawl for a temporary vice-principal post to fill Ms O'Neill's post.
