Northern Ireland

Lisburn school to learn whether it can leave special measures after 5 years

Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn
Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn

A SCHOOL that has been in `special measures' for more than five years will soon learn whether it can finally exit the process.

Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn has spent the longest consecutive time in `formal intervention' since it was introduced.

When in formal intervention, schools receive support to address issues raised at inspection.

Laurelhill entered in late 2011 after the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) found the quality of education was "inadequate" in most areas.

The standards achieved by the pupils at the time were also inadequate and inspectors noted that enrolments were decreasing steadily.

Laurelhill remained in the process after a follow-up inspection in 2014 found it was still inadequate and a further follow-up in late 2015 concluded it needed to "address urgently significant areas for improvement".

Numbers continue to fall. It had 908 pupils in 2008 compared to 681 last year, although roll-calls in first year have picked up recently.

The school has also been making improvements. Its results are now above the Northern Ireland average for non-selective schools while it also celebrates its "high quality pastoral support" for providing a "framework for success".

About 1,000 parents and prospective pupils visited its open night this month at which principal James Martin highlighted the record-breaking examination results at both GCSE and A-level.

Asked about the length of time spent in intervention, the Department of Education said the ETI did not comment on individual schools.

"However, we can confirm that the school had a follow-up inspection on 17 January 2017," a spokeswoman said.

"The follow-up inspection report containing the key findings and outcome will be published on the ETI website week commencing 20 February 2017."

In 2004, teachers at the school walked out on strike after a staff member was accused and cleared of indecent assault against a pupil.