Did the recommendations arising from three whole school evaluations which were Implemented and enacted by the principal provide a blueprint for improvement and educational change in a post-primary school in rural Ireland?
O'Doherty, Mary
(2023)
Did the recommendations arising from three whole school evaluations which were Implemented and enacted by the principal provide a blueprint for improvement and educational change in a post-primary school in rural Ireland?
Doctor of Education thesis, Dublin City University.
The Department of Education in Ireland employs a suite of inspection modalities to evaluate
the quality of educational provision in secondary schools. Whole School Evaluations (WSE)
in particular aim to monitor and assess facets of the whole school, in terms of the ‘economy,
efficiency and effectiveness of the education system provided by the State by recognised
schools and centres for education’ (Education Act 1998, Section 7 (2) (b)).
This study set out to hear directly from present students, past pupils, teachers, ancillary staff,
parents, and former inspectors as to whether the recommendations arising from three whole
school inspection reports provided a blueprint for improvement and educational change in a
post-primary school in rural Ireland. Two former inspectors give their perspectives on
inspection in general.
The researcher conducted a thematic review of relevant peer-reviewed literature on the
changing functions, roles, and responsibilities of the Inspectorate from 1980 to 2018 as well as
on the evolving frameworks of inspection that were developed during this seminal period for
the Inspectorate. The researcher took a pragmatic approach to the research methodology,
adopting a single case-study methodology within a mixed-method sequential quantitative >
qualitative research design. Surveys were the quantitative research instruments employed; 578
students were surveyed, as well as 335 parents and 31 teachers. Semi-structured interviews
which were carried out with 19 participants informed the qualitative approach. The findings
are analysed within the context of the literature review. The researcher presents the findings
from both the surveys and semi-structured interviews whilst acknowledging the implications
and limitations of the study. The researcher identifies recommendations and considers
recommendations for further research and policy development.