St. Columba's College, Stranorlar


Our Journey to Excellence: Understanding School Self-Evaluation

At St. Columba’s College, we're committed to providing the best possible learning experience for every student. A key part of this commitment is our ongoing process of School Self-Evaluation (SSE).



What is School Self-Evaluation?

SSE is a collaborative and reflective process. It involves everyone in our school community – students, teachers, parents, and the Board of Management – working together to evaluate our strengths and identify areas for development. SSE is a process that influences the quality of education provided to students.



How Does it Work?

The process of School Self Evaluation involves gathering information from a range of sources about the quality of teaching and learning in our school, and then making decisions. It culminates in the development of a School Improvement Plan which sets targets for improvement in certain areas. The guiding framework for the SSE process is a document called 'School Self-Evaluation: Next Steps 2022-2026'. The ultimate purpose of SSE is to improve the quality of learning in our schools.


Our SSE process follows a structured approach, guided by the Department of Education and Skills. The following diagram outlines the steps undertaken during the school self-evaluation process:




Why is SSE Important?

SSE is vital for ensuring that St. Columba’s College continues to be a vibrant and effective learning community. It helps us to:



We believe that School Self-Evaluation is a powerful tool for positive change. By working together, we can ensure that we continue to deliver on our mission statement by staying committed to the pursuit of excellence in a caring environment.



Our SSE Strands