Caherconlish NS

Our Self-Evaluation Report and Improvement Plan

1. Introduction

This document records the outcomes of our last improvement plan, the findings of this self-evaluation, and our current improvement plan, including targets and the actions we will implement to meet the targets.

Outcomes of our last improvement plan from 2018 to 2023

Covid 19 had a huge impact in school.

Staff Comments:

Impact of social isolation had an impact on pupil wellbeing
Maths gaps in the curriculum are evident
Weaker phonological awareness skills in infant rooms – lack of knowledge of rhymes for example
Higher absenteeism levels
Punctuality – a higher number of pupils arriving late to school
1st & 2nd class- impacted them greatly across the board as they missed out on a lot
Socially more hesitant to speak up in class
Tinwhistle lessons stopped during covid.
Pupils arriving at 8.50 and going straight to classrooms is a positive
More CPD courses online
Gaming increased
Parents making appointments rather than showing up at the door
Some social graces and understanding of appropriate behaviour has been lost. Pupils seem more immature

Results of Parent Survey:

12.5% said it mostly affected their level of reading and writing
12.5% said it mostly affected their level of gaeilge
12.5% said it mostly affected their level of maths
12.5% said it mostly affected their level of social skills and friendships
18.% stated covid19 had a lasting impact on their child while 81.3% stated it didn’t
Areas most affected by covid 19 – loss of interest in school/hobbies: 50%, fear of catching the virus 25%, anxiety levels 25%
Covid 19 affected motivation to learn: 31.3% said yes
66.7% said their child is less motivated across all activities and tests

Literacy- literacy lift off has been implemented effectively. Pupils are engaging well and working at their own level. Initiatives such as shared reading have come to a pause due to covid 19. Pupils continue to enjoy initiatives such as DEAR time, peer reading etc in their own classroom.
Numeracy- Shared maths games came to a pause due to covid 19. Teachers attended the New Maths Curriculum Training and will be focusing on this going forward.
IT- More ipads have been purchased for the school along with a mobile trolley. Teachers are integrating IT into their lessons in literacy lift off, research work, kahoot quizzes etc. IT lessons with Chris Reina have been stopped due to rising costs. Gsuite is being used effectively. All staff members use their school email for correspondence, store and share files online on the school drive. Safer internet day continues to be celebrated in school each year.

1.2 The focus of this evaluation

We undertook self-evaluation of teaching and learning during the period Sept 2023 to Dec 2023 We evaluated the following aspect(s) of teaching and learning:

Wellbeing- Pupils took part in a kahoot survey. Parents and staff members completed a google forms survey.

Pupil Wellbeing Survey Results

Ideas from each class on ways to improve wellbeing in school:

1st and 2nd Class	3rd Class	4th and 5th Class	6th Class
More lunchtime More playtime No homework Disco on Fridays More whole school PE and games	Coding classes Chess club/school clubs More heating More PE equipment More school sports teams and matches Encourage people to bring things in- show and tell More class jobs More spacious classrooms More activities for early finishers More options for class targets More time with tablets More sports that Macie can play Astroturf for soccer	No uniforms on Fridays Get a school AstroTurf More PE Change seats in class more Change seats to sit beside a friend for art Be allowed bring in a treat on Fridays Have more equipment on the yard at break times – skipping ropes, hoola hoops, volleyball net, badminton racket Get a slide & swing for the yard Get soccer goals for the yard No tests on Fridays No homework- even once a week	Play more kahoot No school on Wednesdays Movie day on Fridays Reading buddies with juniors Laptop Fridays- just to play Voting system More charity drives More classroom games – charades Yoga lessons More meditative colouring Have a better say in school running/policies-voting system More equipment on the yard More baking More after school life skills lessons More detailed art lessons Move next to a friend for art etc More student council/green school meetings

	1st & 2nd Class 3rd Class 4th &5th Class 6th Class
		Yes	No	Sometimes	Yes	No	Sometimes	Yes	No	Sometimes	Yes	No	Sometimes
My school is friendly and welcoming		71%	12%	17%	75%	5%	20%	91%	9%		65%	5%	30%
My school is tidy and bright		42	6	52	70	5	25	43	5	52	50		50
I feel safe in school		88	6	6	75		25	61	10	29	55	5	40
My school has activities like sports/art/drama/music etc		71	6	23	95		5	91		9	100
The adults in our school help us to eat healthy food		82	12	6	75	15	10	74	17	9	70	15	15
The adults in our school encourage us to do sports and be active		77	18	5	85		15	83	5	12	85		15
The adults in our school talk to us in a calm and nice way		65	6	29	75	5	20	80	10	10	75		25
We are calm and well-mannered when we speak to the adults in our school		65	24	11	90	5	5	65	10	25	75		25
The adults in our school praise and encourage us to work hard and try our best		88	6	6	75	5	20	78	5	17	100
I try my best at school		82	12	6	90	5	5	74	5	21	85		15
The adults in our school help children who find it hard to make friends		71	6	23	75	10	15	70	21	9	70	10	20
The adults in our school help children who get into trouble in the class or in the yard		53	18	29	40	45	15	57	30	13	65	10	25
The adults in our school help children who feel sad or worried		88	0	12	95	5		65	13	22	70	10	20
The adults in our school help children who find it hard to learn		77	6	17	85	5	10	91		9	85		15
The adults in our school make learning interesting and fun		77	17	6	75	20	5	70	15	15	85		15
The adults in my school care about me		88	0	12	80	10	10	75	9	16	70	20	10
My teacher encourages me to ask questions and give my views in class		83	0	17	90		10	84	8	8	75	5	20
We do SPHE in class		83	0	17	85		15	87	5	7	95		5
We learn that we are all special and that it is ok when people are different		88	6	6	100			87	9	4	90	10
Bullying is not allowed in our school		83	6	11	75	20	5	83	5	12	80	5	15
If I feel bullied in school, the adults in my school have told me what to do		88	12	0	90		10	87	5	8	100
We are taught about bullying and cyber bullying and that leaving people out or teasing people is not allowed		100	0	0	100			91		9	100
Our teachers ask us and listen to our ideas when deciding classroom rules		88	6	6	90	10		83	12	5	90	5	5
I know that my school has rules to keep us safe		88	12	0	100			75	12	13	100
I know if I do not feel safe that I will be listened to and the adults in my school will help me		88	12	0	90		10	83	17		90		10
We are asked for our ideas when the school is deciding school policies		76	24	0	90	10		87	13		75	10	15
We have school rules on using our mobile phones and the internet safely		88	12	0	95	5		75	25		90	5	5
The children in our school are friendly and kind to each other		88	6	6	80		20	56	22	22	60	10	30
I have friends at school		94	6	0	100			70	25	5	95		5
I know who to speak to in school if I am worried or sad about anything		94	6	0	85	15		83	13	4	85		15
I would speak to an adult at school if I was sad or worried about myself or a friend		94	6	0	95		5	83	13	4	55	30	15
The adults in my school talk to my parents when I am doing well and also when there are problems or I need extra help		88	0	12	95	5		75	13	12	95	5

2. Findings

2.1 This is effective / very effective practice in our school

Staff discussed our strengths in Wellbeing:

Mindful Matters
Weaving Wellbeing
Buddy benches
Student of the month/week
6th class mentors
Celebrating World Kindness Day
Cosmic Kids
Peace out Meditations
Morning meetings in 3rd and 4th class
Mindful Monday in 1st class
Kindness Tree-displaying acts of kindness-1st and 2nd class
Gratitude Journal in 2nd class

2.2. This is how we know

Teacher observation
Pupil Questionnaires
Staff Questionnaires
Parent Questionnaires

2.3 This is what we are going to focus on to improve our practice further

Focus on improving wellbeing
IT: continue to promote the incorporation of IT into lessons and introduce google classroom
Focus on the New Primary Language Curriculum, New Maths Curriculum and Primary Curriculum Framework
Focus on improving attendance and punctuality

Our Improvement Plan

Timeframe of this improvement plan is from 2023 to 2026

Targets	Actions	Persons / groups responsible	Criteria for success	Progress and adjustments	Targets achieved
Wellbeing	Weaving Wellbeing to be taught in all classes. Posters to be displayed in each classroom. Kindness Award to be awarded in each monthly Targets to be set from the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice	All staff	Weaving wellbeing pupil self-assessments Teacher observation	Staff Discussed Wellbeing Promotion Ideas being used in classrooms at staff meeting-morning meetings, kindness tree, gratitude journal, Mindful Monday Targets set from Wellbeing Policy in December 2025: see next box
Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice	Ms. Mulcahy distributed handouts to staff outlining the Key Areas of Wellbeing. She gave the staff a recap of information provided at the training session. Staff looked at the key areas, the indicators for success and the statements of Effective Practice. Areas to focus on: Key Area: Culture & Environment Indicator of Success:Systems are in place so that the voice of the child/young person, teacher and parent are heard and lead to improvements in school culture and ethos. Wellbeing Statements of Effective Practice for All: The indoor space displays the work, talents and accomplishments of children and young people. School leaders and management understand the link between physical activity and wellbeing and facilitate physical activity and movement breaks within the school environment. Wellbeing Statements of Effective Practice for Some & Few: The physical environment is modified to meet the needs of children and young people with additional and/or complex needs.	Ms. Mulcahy All Staff Ms. O Rourke/Ms. Hynes-Active School Flag Committee, Student’s Council, Wellbeing Warriors	Classroom Displays Wellbeing Display Board Celebrating children’s achievements at assembly School Facebook page, twitter account and school website to display current events Active Flag application 2025/2026 Daily mile Skipping Challenge Whole School Movement Breaks Pupils have access to sensory room Pupils have access to Ms. Blackwell’s room-kettle, toaster, check in daily with pupil	Pupils engaging well in whole school initiatives. NCSE advisor out in 2025 to discuss Relate document with staff.
IT	Introduce google classroom starting with 4th and 5th class in 2023/24 Staff meeting-December 2025: Ms. Mulcahy informed staff that there was an IT grant of 5140.92. It was decided to look into purchasing aladdin connect. It was decided to purchase more netbooks or laptops in order to be able to do a whole class typing lesson.	Ms. Mulcahy-4th & 5th class All teachers	Pupil engagement with google classroom Teacher observation	Ms. Mulcahy and Maria looked into setting this up. Google classroom was discussed at a staff meeting and it was decided that it would not be suitable for our school. After a whole staff discussion, it was decided instead to look into introducing aladdin connect.
Literacy	Teachers plans to include PLC language Shared/peer Reading to recommence after covid every Wednesday at 1 pm.	All staff	Teacher observation	Shared Reading re commenced.
Assessment	Teachers to use an online platform to store pupils’ assessments.	All staff	Assessment templates	Staff meeting- December 2025 – not yet set up. Aladdin connect to be used to store assessments if set up. Other options to be looked into.
Attendance Grant	Weekly punctuality award in each class level to target late arrivals	All staff	Aladdin-late arrivals Teacher observation	Discussed at staff meeting December 2025. Decided to stop weekly punctuation award. Continue with attendance awards at assembly and tusla certificates of attendance.
Maths	Staff to attend new Maths Curriculum Training Staff to discuss and prioritise pedagogical practices to focus on initially	All staff	Teachers engagement	Primary Curriculm Grant of 22029.27 discussed at staff meeting December 2025. A list of maths manipulatives was compiled which are to be ordered.
Primary Curriculum Framework:	Introduce new time allocations Senior classes take part in “Say Yes to Languages Programme” Weaving wellbeing to be taught in all classes	All Staff	Teacher observation	Teacher in 3rd to 6th class January 2026 to teach lessons.
Gaeilge:	Following on from our Gaeilge Inspection it was agreed to: Introduce shared reading as gaeilge Teach sight words at each class level as gaeilge Focus on phonics as gaeilge Focus on the following as part of our assessment: Teanga ó Bhéal: struchtúr abairte agus gramadach Léitheoireacht:fónaoic,aithint focal agus staidéar as fhocail Scríbhneoireacht:struchtúr abairte agus gnásanna cló	All Staff	Teacher observations Class testing	Shared Reading as gaeilge to be done in blocks alternating between english shared reading