Beis Malka Girls school

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Beis Malka Belz Girls School 401 Bury New Road, Salford, Greater Manchester M7 2BT

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 1, 2(1), 2(2), 3(b)  The material change inspection in November 2015 found that aspects of the quality of education provided were unmet. Specifically, pupils in Year 7 were not taking part in regular physical education lessons.  There is an appropriate policy, a written scheme of work and plans for physical education. Pupils experience physical, creative and aesthetic education in the provision for physical education. They take part in weekly lessons at a local sports facility. Leaders acted swiftly to secure this provision after the previous inspection. Lessons are monitored through the ongoing assessment of pupils to ensure that their ongoing development in physical education is secured.  Pupils enjoy the physical education sessions. They are well motivated to take part in the activities and understand the importance of regular exercise. They are learning different

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Main inspection findings

types of competitive sport and how to work in a team. They are developing skills, such as ball handling and enjoy thinking about the strategies needed for success, for example how to score a goal in netball.  These standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a), Paragraph 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy was checked during this inspection.  Leaders update the safeguarding policy regularly. The policy meets all requirements. Appropriate arrangements are made to safeguard pupils at the school, such as ensuring that staff receive regular training updates to keep pupils safe.  The safeguarding arrangements at the school have due regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. For example, the safeguarding policy refers to the most recent guidance which was issued in September 2016.  These standards are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1)(a), 23 (1)(c), 25, 26, 27(a), 28(1)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) 29(1)(b).  The material change inspection in November 2015 found that aspects of the premises and accommodation at the school were unmet. Specifically, the school did not ensure

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Main inspection findings

that suitable changing accommodation and showers were provided for pupils aged 11 or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education. In addition, the proprietor had not ensured that there was suitable outdoor space to enable physical education to be provided.  At the previous inspection, the school was accommodating 230 pupils as opposed to the agreed registration of 160 pupils. Leaders submitted building plans to the Department for Education (DfE) and have since completed building work to accommodate the additional pupils.  The DfE agreed to the headteacher’s request to report on the suitability of accommodating an additional 93 pupils, further to the building modifications. This would raise the agreed number on roll from 160 to 253 pupils. The modifications would allow for the education of pupils of ages three to four and those in Years 7 and 8.  Where building modifications have been made, there are suitable toilet and washing

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Main inspection findings

facilities provided for the sole use of pupils.  The new classrooms are maintained to a good standard and ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils.  Year 7 and 8 pupils now complete a weekly physical education lesson at a local sports facility. There are appropriate changing arrangements and showers. Leaders have completed a risk assessment to ensure pupils’ safety if they ever decide to use the changing facilities.  The acoustic conditions and sound insulation of the new rooms are suitable for the intended use as classrooms.  The lighting in all of the new rooms is appropriate for the purposes of classroom learning.  Toilets have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.  The proprietor has a suitable arrangement with a local sports facility whereby Year 7 and 8 pupils can use indoor and outdoor spaces to take part in weekly physical education

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Main inspection findings

sessions.  Suitable outdoor space is provided for pupils to play outside. The proprietor has changed the use of land at the front of the school from being a car park to becoming a space for outdoor learning. Additional fencing has been erected to provide appropriate privacy.  These standards are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32 (1)(c)  The school does not have a website; therefore, it cannot publish the safeguarding policy online. There is a prominent notice in the main reception area of the school which explains that parents can request a copy of the safeguarding policy if required. The school prospectus also makes clear that the safeguarding policy is available to parents on request.  This standard is met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools  A material change inspection took place on 3 November 2015. This was to consider an application for the school to extend the age range from 3 to 11 to 3 to 14 without

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Main inspection findings

increasing the number of pupils on roll. At that inspection, it was found that the school had increased the number on roll from 160 to 230 without seeking permission from the DfE. In response to this, the DfE sent a communication to the school requesting that they take immediate action to reduce the number of pupils on roll to the agreed number. This was not possible due to a lack of places within local schools. The school, therefore, outlined plans to complete building work in an adjoining building, to accommodate the additional pupils.  As part of this progress monitoring inspection, the inspector considered the suitability of the new building in providing appropriate accommodation to educate the additional pupils. This inspection was therefore deemed to be a material change inspection in addition to a progress monitoring inspection. The inspector considered whether the premises and accommodation were suitable to educate a total of 253 pupils aged

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Main inspection findings

between three and 14 years. The inspector judged that, further to the modification made, the building is suitable for the increased number of pupils. In its current state, the existing building would not be suitable for any additional pupils. Leaders are mindful that as the school grows they will need additional space to accommodate additional pupils and are currently seeking a new, larger property for this purpose.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 Part 1 1, 2(1) (2), 3(b)  Part 5 22, 23(1)(c), 29(1)(a)

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Voluntary contributions

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–8 July 2014

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Information about this school

 Beis Malka Belz Girls’ School is registered as an independent day school for 160 orthodox Jewish girls from the ages of three to 14. There are currently 233 pupils on roll aged three to 13.  The school is housed in a large Victorian building in Salford, Greater Manchester.  The school day is divided into two, so that pupils follow the kodesh (religious) curriculum in the morning and the secular curriculum in the afternoon.  The school plays an important role in meeting the needs of the Chassidic community in Salford. It is intended that pupils develop an understanding of the foundation upon which Jewish life is structured through the school’s kodesh curriculum. Furthermore, the interrelationship between the school’s kodesh and secular curricula aims to develop good character traits in pupils and foster their spiritual, social, emotional and cultural development.  There are no pupils supported by an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this school

 The school was previously inspected in July 2014, and was judged to require improvement.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspection was also commissioned by the DfE to determine the suitability of changes made to the premises to accommodate a larger number of pupils. The proposal is to increase the number on roll from 160 to 253 to accommodate pupils from the ages of three to 14.  The inspector toured the school site accompanied by the school administrator. Meetings were held with the headteacher, the proprietor, a member of the governing body, a key stage 3 teacher responsible for physical education and a group of eight Year 7 and 8 pupils. The inspector scrutinised a number of school documents, including key stage 3

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Information about this inspection

curriculum plans, school policies, risk assessments and information related to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Ian Hardman, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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