New inspection reports on the web today comprise:
14 whole-school evaluations (WSEs) of primary schools
1 whole-school evaluation (WSEs) of a post-primary school, including 4 subject inspections
4 stand-alone subject inspections at post-primary level
2 stand-alone programme evaluations at post-primary level
Since 6th February 2006, inspection reports on schools and centres for education are published on the Department of Education and Skills' website at regular intervals throughout the school year.
There are now 4,843 inspection reports on the website, representative of 1,971 schools and centres for education.
WSEs are conducted in primary and post-primary schools.
WSE reports comment on the quality of the school's management and planning, teaching and learning, arrangements for student assessment, supports for students, provision for minority groups and home-school links.
Depending on the size of the school, an inspector or a team of inspectors visits the school for a period of time to conduct the evaluation.
Following this evaluation phase, inspectors discuss the findings and recommendations with school management and members of the teaching staff.
The draft WSE report undergoes a process of factual verification. The school is then given a period of time in which to respond to the final WSE report. The last step is the publication of the WSE report including the school's response (if the school has made a response) on the Department's website.
Subject inspection reports evaluate the teaching and learning of specific subjects in post-primary schools. A subject inspection can take place within a WSE or as a stand-alone evaluation.
Today, 8 subject-inspection reports are published covering Art, Gaeilge, English, History, Mathematics and SPHE.
All inspection reports, including those published today (15th September, 2011) are accessible via the link below.http://www.education.ie/insreports/des_school_inspection_reports_sept_15_2011.htm