THE LARGEST second-level school in Ballymun, Dublin, is on “a worsening downward spiral” with poor behaviour by students and low morale among teachers, according to Department of Education inspectors.
In an unusually robust report, published yesterday, inspectors say there is an increasing level of discontent among both staff and students at Trinity Comprehensive School.
Inspectors report that “a climate of indiscipline prevails in the school’’.
It points to absenteeism, lateness, poor behaviour on the corridors, bullying and disruption of classes by students.
“At staff level, discontent has manifested itself in a number of ways. Absenteeism among teachers is a cause for concern, and morale and motivation are reported to be low.
“Teachers and students have lowered their expectations of each other and of the school. In general, a worsening downward spiral in the spirit of the school is evident.’’
Trinity Comprehensive School was formed as a result of the amalgamation in 2005 of three schools built in Ballymun in the 1970s. The 650 students are drawn almost exclusively from Ballymun, an area of severe disadvantage.
The school was intended to be the educational jewel of the newly-regenerated Ballymun but the inspectors do not understate the scale of the challenge facing management and staff.
“Management and staff have found it difficult to get to grips with this problem as it has become embedded in the culture of the school. A number of members of the teaching staff reported that they feel unsupported by management in their efforts to deal with difficult students.”
The report also says staff and management should be visible in front of the school in the mornings and at lunchtime to encourage good timekeeping and to challenge latecomers.
A high number of students at the school have learning needs but many needy students have been denied access to support because of the insufficient number of assessments carried out by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) in the school, according to the inspectors.
The inspectors note the absence of any parents’ association in place at present as it has proved difficult to get a long-term commitment from more than a few parents.
Those parents who met the inspectors stated that some students are unhappy with having too many “free” classes.
In its response to the report, the school’s board of management says “the inspectors saw first-hand the challenges facing the school . . . We appreciate the recognition by the inspectorate of a number of strengths, particularly the ‘best practice’ observed in the classroom in the provision of appropriate learning supports, guidance and pastoral care.’’
