Beis Rochel d'Satmar Girls' School

Beis Rochel d’Satmar Girls’ School Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 204/6296 Unique Reference Number (URN) 100293 Inspection number 407137 Inspection dates 19 November 2012 Reporting inspector Jonathan Yodaiken achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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Information about the school

Beis Rochel d’Satmar Girls’ School opened in 1965. It consists of Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 1 provision in Stoke Newington; infant and junior and separate senior provision in a single building in Amhurst Park; and a seminary for sixth formers in Stamford Hill. It recently became registered to admit boys and there are now 270 boys on roll. The boys’ department is situated near to the Amhurst Park site and currently regards itself as part of the girls’ school. These different sections of the school are known as departments. There is no overall headteacher and departments have considerable autonomy. However, steps are being taken to bring the departments closer together by the recent appointment of a liaison coordinator for all departments.

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Information about the school

There are 1,333 pupils on roll aged from three to 19 years, with 252 in the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are four pupils with a statement of special educational needs, mainly linked to behavioural issues, and 223 of the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage receive government nursery funding.

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Information about the school

The majority of the pupils are from the Satmar community of Orthodox Judaism but there are also pupils from other Chassidic communities and the Yemen. The majority of pupils are from homes where Yiddish is the main language spoken and English is the second language. The school is funded substantially by voluntary contributions. There are no fees but parents and carers are expected to pay whatever they can. The school aims to develop each pupil in their Jewish identity while experiencing success academically, personally and socially. It seeks to develop in every pupil a moral understanding and a range of skills, talents and values such as modesty, tolerance, respect of others and courtesy.

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Context of the inspection

The school had its last full inspection in February 2012. A material change inspection was carried out on the same date to report on the incorporation into the school of a boys’ department on separate premises. The change was not recommended as, at that time, the school failed to meet a significant number of regulations and Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The school submitted an action plan in April 2012. This was considered unsatisfactory, but the evaluation recognised that the school had worked hard to address its weaknesses. A progress monitoring visit took place in June 2012 when the school was judged to be making satisfactory progress in implementing its action plan. However, a small number of requirements were still Independent school progress monitoring inspection report not met, mainly relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage of the school but also involving a lack of washroom facilities for pupils and staff on one site. In July 2012,

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Context of the inspection

as a result of that inspection, the proposal to admit boys and increase the maximum number of pupils to 1,475 was accepted. This is the second progress monitoring visit to evaluate the school’s progress in implementing its previous action plan.

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action plan

The previous progress monitoring inspection in June 2012 identified regulatory failures pertaining to the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It identified that there were insufficient staff in four classes with appropriate qualifications. As a consequence, within these classes, there was also a failure to provide the required ratio of qualified staff to children. In response, the school planned to recruit more qualified staff and to train a number of existing members of staff.

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action plan

The school has recruited additional staff with NVQ level 3 and NVQ level 2 qualifications and now there are sufficient staff who have the correct level of qualifications to comply with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Existing staff are also undertaking relevant training.

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action plan

The inspection of June 2012 also identified that there was insufficient opportunity for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to learn English. However, it was noted that the school had incorporated English into wall displays and introduced English within the teaching of number work, shapes and colours. In addition, English language books were available in book corners and the school was developing schemes of work and lesson plans, but these had not yet been implemented.

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action plan

Since the last inspection, the school has identified within each class of the Early Years Foundation Stage one key teacher to focus upon the teaching of English. The developments noted at the previous inspection as being at an early stage have been fully implemented. Teachers now often use English as a means of communicating, particularly in lessons on number, shape and colour work. The teaching of English within the Early Years Foundation Stage is now fully supported by schemes of work and effective planning and assessment which link the experiences of children to the seven areas of learning for that stage. The school now has appropriate curriculum policies linked to schemes of work for all subjects and year groups. This requirement is now met in full.

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action plan

The previous progress monitoring inspection in June 2012 identified that there were insufficient toilets for pupils and staff in the main building at the Amhurst Park site. The school has since installed a further five pupils’ toilets in the building and two additional staff toilets. This regulation is now met. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made satisfactory progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 172 Girls: 1,063 Total: 1,235

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School details

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 98 Girls: 0 Total: 98

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 0 Girls: 4 Total: 4

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) No fees charged in school Nursery - £10,000 per year

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School details

Address of school 51-57 Amhurst Park London N16 5DL

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School details

Headteachers Mrs Jacobovitz, Mrs Knopfler, Mrs Glick, Mrs Schlesinger, Mrs Friedman Proprietor Beis Rochel D’Satmar Charitable Trust

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