School Self Evaluation Report & Improvement Plan for Wellbeing
INTRODUCTION – We are a school of over 400 boys and 42 staff including teachers, SNAs and ancillary staff.We are a vertical all boys mainstream, schools and have two special classes for autistic boys (Gliondar Mara). In previous cycles of SSE we have focused on Gaeilge and Reading & comprehension strategies. FOCUS OF THIS EVALUATION We undertook self-evaluation of Wellbeing during the period September 2021 to June 2025. FINDINGS From data that we have collected from the pupils, parents and staff we have established the following: ● Our pupils feel welcome and safe in our school. ● Parents regard our school as being very “approachable” and they believe that we have the pupils best interest at heart. ● Staff feel that we nurture our pupils & reward their efforts. This is how we know - List the evidence sources. ● Questionnaires & focus groups with pupils and parents ● Whole staff discussion & “stick-man” data gathering. This is what we are going to focus on to improve our practice further. Key Area: Relationships & Partnerships Indicator of Success: Children and young people, their parents and other external partners are actively involved in wellbeing promotion within the school community. Statement(s) of Effective Practice: Relationships and partnerships are supported through a range of agreed formal and informal structures, School leaders and management acknowledge the importance of staff wellbeing and promote this in a variety of ways including recognition of the value of staff contribution and their work. Systems are in place whereby more senior young people are supported in mentoring younger children. Step Action When Identify focus Decide whether a micro or macro approach will be adopted 2021 Stakeholders to be informed about SSE October 2021 During a school half day closure members of wellbeing team will facilitate an exploration of WPSFP (Key Areas, Statements of Effective Practice) Data will be collected from staff (Working Well, Possible area of future focus x 4 (1 per key area)) 3rd June 2022 Data Gathering Questionnaires to be given to pupils October 2021 Focus groups of younger pupils & senior pupils - including pupils with SEN January 2023 Questionnaires to be sent to Parents October 2021 Focus group of parents January 2022 Data gathered from staff June 2022 Analyse and make judgements Feedback from staff and all questionnaires will be analysed and judgements made March & April 2023 Area of focus to be decided (Key Area, Indicator of Success, Statements of Effective Practice) March & April 2023 Input from staff to be sought on possible steps/ actions required to meet targets April 2023 Targets to address needs to be decided May 2023 Write and Share Report and Improvement Plan Report and improvement plan to be written Term 3 2023 & September 2023 Report and Improvement plan to be shared with staff Staff Meeting - October / November Report to be shared with parents – via website October – November 2024 Report to be shared with pupils October 2024 5. Put Improvement Plan into Action Put improvement plan into action September 2024 Ensure evidence of SSE in every classroom October 2024 6. Monitor Actions and Evaluate Impact Monitor actions Academic Year 2023 - 2024 Evaluate impact Term 3 - 2024 Wellbeing Targets Actions Timeframe Focus on improving our peer mentoring and buddy systems over a period of 7 months. Organise for 6th year students to speak to 6th class about mentoring & leadership – mentor the mentors Establish a reverse integration budding system with Gliondar Mara Set up Buddy Benches for 1st - 6th class & a Buddy Heart for infants September 2023 - April 2023 September / October 2023 - April / May 2024 January 2024 School community will place renewed emphasis on active listening, positive communication and respectful interactions over the 2023/24 school year. Establish a designated “student voice time” in classrooms on a regular basis but especially in advance of Student Council meetings Communication positive news home - Introduce the “green slip” reward system - recognising & rewarding pupils immediately. This will be individualised & sent home to parents. September 2023 - May 2024 October 2023 - May 2024 Staff well-being promoted & value of the work of staff is recognised in term 1 & 2. Drafting & ratification of Dignity in the Workplace policy Organise a weekly ‘opt-in, opt-out’ exercise class for staff Well-being noticeboard in staffroom September - October 2023 November 2023 - April 2024 September 2023 - May 2024 Actions in addition to the above mentioned which promote the well-being of pupils and staff includes: Establishment of the Nurture Room as a targeted intervention for some pupils Re-establishment of the Students’ Council for the promotion of student voice Recognition of both effort & achievements with our monthly assembly awards & end of year awards. Funday Friday – promoting whole school fun by dancing on Friday mornings Sit down zone in yard – a “chill out” area in the yard that the boys can choose to sit in at break times Engagement with well-being webinars for pupils and staff Treats for all staff on special occasions e.g. World Teachers Day etc. Sound Bath for interested staff held in school library