Theoline McCoy Primary School in Bodden Town has been rated as ‘Satisfactory’ by the Office of Education Standards. That is the minimum level of quality required for Cayman Islands schools.
The school achieved ‘Good’ ratings in some areas, including quality of staff and facilities, and inspectors particularly highlighted students’ progress and teaching in Reception.
However, assessments show that, overall, students’ performance remains ‘Weak’ in English, mathematics and science, compared to national and international standards. (This is similar to inspectors’ findings for John A Cumber Primary School and George Town Primary School.)
Inspectors recommended that the school “raise standards of achievement in all core subjects” by “ensuring that all teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve”, according to the inspection report. The inspectors also recommended that “all teachers use assessment data to help students to make better progress in their learning, particularly the most able and those with special educational needs.”
Theoline McCoy Primary has an enrolment of 269 students, with about 27% on the ‘additional learning needs register’ (special education needs).
The school has 14 teachers and 10 support staff.
Principal Kimberly Watler has led the school for 3 years and taught at the school for more than 10 years.
The school received ‘Satisfactory’ ratings in most areas, including students’ progress, teaching and learning, leadership, and links to the community.
Inspectors rate schools in individual categories, using a scale of Weak/Satisfactory/Good/Excellent. The overall grade is determined according to the individual scores.
The ‘Satisfactory’ rating is an improvement over the ‘Unsatisfactory’ grade the school received during its last full inspection in December 2014.
“The school leaders promoted an inclusive environment in which staff, parents and students felt that their opinions were valued. The roles of the recently reorganised senior leadership team were clearly defined and there was a pronounced emphasis on teamwork,” according to the report.
“School leaders were beginning to establish a culture of review in the school. The arrangements for self-evaluation were collaborative and comprehensive. In addition, the broadly accurate self-evaluation meant school leaders had a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school.”
Because Theoline McCoy Primary received an overall ‘Satisfactory’ grade, it will not be subject to follow-through inspections. It will be inspected again during the next cycle of inspections, beginning in January 2021.
An interview with … Peter Carpenter, Director, Office of Education Standards (1 of 2)