Inspection Summary Report - Denamona Primary School, Fintona

Denamona Primary School, Fintona

DE Ref No 201-2660

Inspection Summary Report - June 2026

Denamona Primary School’s vision focuses on the holistic development of the children and guides very effectively the work of the school. The underpinning values of respect, honesty and resilience are actively lived out and inform a collective effort to develop the children to “become lifelong learners and confident contributors to their community”.
The three-year School Development Plan (SDP) for the 2025-28 period has been informed by robust self-evaluation processes. Associated action plans are well-considered, regularly monitored and, as necessary, updated to ensure the focus remains on improving the children’s learning experiences and outcomes. There are highly collegial working practices and the sharing of effective practice.
A key strength is the school’s strategic approach to staff professional learning which is closely linked to its SDP priorities.
Comprehensive long- and medium-term planning guides the staff well in ensuring the children experience breadth and balance in their learning. Planning is reviewed and evaluated regularly.
The staff make creative use of the outdoor learning environment to enrich and enhance the learning experiences across the curriculum. Well-planned lessons allow the children to experience enjoyment and excitement, facilitate the development of their thinking skills and personal capabilities, and contribute positively to their overall wellbeing.
The calm and purposeful learning environment in the school is characterised by positive relationships, well-established routines and smooth transitions.
The children’s behaviour and dispositions for learning are excellent; they are attentive, responsive, engage confidently and participate well. They reflect on the quality of their work and identify how it can be improved.
The children benefit from a well-embedded culture of assessment for learning. They participate actively, take risks, work together very effectively in pairs and groups, and respond well to feedback from their teachers and each other.
The provision for the children with SEN is a notable strength of the school. Close working relationships with the pre-school support the early identification of need and inform the provision of timely and appropriate interventions when the children transition into the school. This impacts positively on their learning and development.
The inclusive ethos of the school places it firmly at the centre of its community and is articulated clearly in the school motto, “Together We Succeed”. There is a strong understanding of the needs of the wider community beyond the school gates.
At the time of the inspection, the evidence provided by the school demonstrates that the arrangements for child protection align to the current statutory guidance.

Next steps

The rich ethos, culture and relationships in Denamona Primary School unite the school community in a shared commitment to its vision. The children thrive in a caring learning environment where they are supported very effectively to progress and experience success as they journey towards realising the vision of becoming ‘lifelong learners and confident contributors to their community’.

The next step for Denamona Primary School is to take forward the following area for action: to ensure that the children have more frequent, progressive and purposeful opportunities to write independently.

The District Inspector will monitor the school’s progress in addressing this area for action, as part of ETI’s routine monitoring processes.

Inspectors also identified an aspect of highly effective practice from which others may learn. The aspect of practice which should be shared more widely is:

the embedding of Assessment for Learning strategies consistently across the school.