Burncourt NS

Our Self-Evaluation Report and Improvement Plan

Numeracy 2018-2021
1. Introduction
A school self-evaluation of teaching and learning in Burncourt NS was undertaken during the period September 2017
to June 2018. Following this period of analysis and consultation, Burncourt NS decided to focus on Numeracy for 2018
-2019.

1.2 School Context.

Burncourt NS is a rural co-ed primary school comprising of 1 teaching Principal, 1 Special Class Teacher, 4
Mainstream Class Teachers and 1 SET teacher. The school has 85 students. The school administers the Sigma T
standardised tests each year from 1st class to 6th Class.

2. Findings

We gathered evidence through means of standardised tests and scores on the Sigma T as well as
questionnaires given to staff, pupils and parents. The standardised tests are administered to all students in 1st
to 6th classes annually during May/June. Since 2010 we collate and analyse the results of the Standardised
Tests (Micra T & Sigma T) and present the findings to staff and to the Board of Management in table form.
The tests are interpreted in the following ways:- a. Individual student results were analysed and tracked; b.
Tests are examined from a whole class perspective. Parents, Pupils and Staff overall gave a very positive
response towards the teaching and learning of Mathematics in the school.

2.1 This is effective / very effective practice in our school

 Teaching of Number and Operations was one of the areas highlighted by pupils and parents as areas of
strength.
 Teachers outlined the Maths Rich environment as a strength in the school as well as our participation in
Maths week each year
 Sigma T results showed an average STEN of 7 for the past 3 years consecutively.
 Sigma T results over the last three years show Number, Data, Shape and Space and Algebra as the strongest
areas in Maths.

2.2. This is what we are going to focus on to improve our practice further
 Students need more experience with problem solving.
 Improve use of ICT in the teaching and learning of Mathematics.
 Providing tips for parents and short video clips on Parent Section the school website in how Maths is taught,
what to expect at each class level and how they can support their child at home;
 Attainment of curricular objectives in relation to attitudes: an increase in the number of pupils with positive attitudes
to maths
 Pupils’ engagement in learning: more structured reinforcement across all classes in the implementation of Problem
Solving approach
 To work with the PDST team in developing our own understanding as teachers of new methodologies which would
enrich our teaching of one strand area (Problem Solving)

3. Our improvement plan

On the next page we have recorded:
 The targets for improvement we have set
 The actions we will implement to achieve these
 Who is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reviewing our improvement plan
 How we will measure progress and check outcomes (criteria for success)
As we implement our improvement plan we will record:
 The progress made, and adjustments made, and when
 Achievement of targets (original and modified), and when

Targets
To introduce a “Problem Solving
Time” 40 minutes weekly {Use
of Non Routine Problems} {Use
of Contextualised Problems} To
develop a whole school
approach to problem solving
To develop RUCSAC as the
problem solving procedure at
each class level
Provide links for parents to
allow them to better support
their children in maths
Improve use of ICT in problem
solving lessons
To increase the percentage of
children on Sten 7 by 3% over 3
year period For student scoring
STEN 4 or less in Sigma T we aim
to maintain or improve the
scores.
Our Improvement Plan
Timeframe of this improvement plan is from 03/09/2018 to 26/06/2021
Actions Persons / groups responsible Criteria for success Time Frame
Problem Solving Whole School Class Teachers, SET teacher. Each Friday pupils will have a January 2019 to June 2021.
Time 40 mins to be introduced problem of the week lesson.
Term 2/3 2019
Teachers will provide Whole School Policy- Class Pupils will use RUCSAC method Sept 2018 to June 2021
differentiated maths resources Teachers and SET. for problem solving.
at each class level.
Create resource bank and links Parents will engage with ICT at Sept 2018 to January 2021.
on School website to encourage Website Administrator/ Class home and give feedback in
parents to use ICT at home to teachers/ SET teacher. January.
develop problem solving skills.
Liase with PDST as well as share All Staff. Resource bank for each class Sept 2018 to June 2021.
knowledge among staff of teacher used regularly and
useful resources feedback given at staff meeting
at end of year.
Administer classroom tests
every term to students from 1st Class Teacher, SET The standardised test results Sept 18 to June 2021.
class based on their class work will be analysed in May each
and give regular feedback to the year
students about what areas they
need to improve. LS target
students at risk of
underachievement as well as
extending the students who are
high achievers