Beis Yaakov Girls School

School material change inspection report

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Beis Yaakov Girls School Avigdor Mews, 65–67 Lordship Road, London N16 0QJ

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All relevant paragraphs  The school’s curriculum policy and related schemes of work, extended to account for pupils aged up to 11 years, meet requirements. Curriculum planning in all the required areas of learning is based on suitable commercial schemes of work. Teachers’ weekly plans are detailed and take account of pupils’ different ages and abilities.  All teaching across the year groups and subject areas is in English.  All classrooms are appropriately resourced and conducive to learning.  The curriculum provides ample opportunities for pupils to learn about British values and equality.  There is a robust system for checking pupils’ progress. All pupils complete a range of assessments, including regular tests in their core skills, appropriate to their age and ability.  Leaders have ensured that the relevant independent school standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The curriculum for pupils in Years 5 and 6 actively promotes British values and encourages respect for other people. This includes paying particular regard to the protected characteristics, including other religions. Leaders ensure that respecting others and learning about how people are different are clear focuses of the school’s work.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s approach to safeguarding its pupils continues to meet the requirements of the independent school standards and national statutory guidance. The school’s policy and procedures are appropriate and will be published on the school’s new website when it is redesigned. In the meantime, the policy is available in hard copy.

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Main inspection findings

 There is a strong culture of safeguarding. Concerns are raised quickly and shared with suitably trained designated safeguarding leaders and external colleagues in social care services, as appropriate. As a result, pupils are kept as safe as possible.  Leaders have ensured that the school’s health and safety policy is effectively implemented. The premises and facilities, though temporary, are clean, safe and well maintained.  Leaders have ensured that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Evacuation drills and all the required checks are undertaken and logged meticulously.  There is appropriate deployment of enough staff to ensure that pupils are safely supervised.  Leaders have ensured that the school’s risk assessment policy is effectively implemented. Risk assessments relating to the premises show that appropriate thought is given to reduce risks, so as to ensure that pupils are kept as safe as

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Main inspection findings

possible.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders ensure that all the relevant vetting checks are undertaken on those who come into contact with pupils. All recruitment checks are recorded accurately on the school’s single central register, which meets all the current requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s premises are temporary, but are clean, safe, secure and well maintained. There is comfortably room for up to 110 pupils aged up to 11 years old. The health, safety and welfare of pupils are likely to be assured through the effective implementation of the school’s health and safety policy and procedures.  There are eight classrooms of various sizes, including large spaces for children in the

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Main inspection findings

early years. There is ample outdoor space for play and physical education. There are also ample toilet and washing facilities, which meet requirements.  The requirements in relation to medical care and first aid are met.  The acoustic conditions, sound insulation and internal and external lighting are suitable throughout the premises.  Suitably labelled drinking water is available throughout the school day from water coolers, and the temperature of hot water supplies is safely regulated.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met and are likely to continue to be met if the number of pupils increases to a maximum of 110.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The school’s headteacher has a secure understanding of the independent school standards. She and her team have ensured that all the relevant standards related to the requested material change are met and likely to continue to be met.

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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 are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £3,588 to £5,200

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25–27 April 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 8 3 to 11 3 to 11

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 90 95 110

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recommendation

The school’s original application was to extend its age range to 3 to 11 and its maximum capacity to 95. This change has already been partially implemented, as there are currently 90 pupils on roll, aged up to 11 years old. During the inspection, the headteacher asked the inspector to consider the capacity of the premises and whether the number of pupils on the school roll could increase further. The inspector’s recommendation is that the maximum capacity of the school should be 110.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 75 Up to 110

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 13 Up to 110

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 3 Up to 110

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 3 Up to 110

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 16 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 20 No change

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Information about this school

 Beis Yaakov Girls School is an independent primary day school in the London borough of Hackney. It caters for girls from an ultra-Orthodox Jewish faith.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in April 2017, when it was judged to be good and all the independent school standards were judged to be met.  The school is currently operating outside of its registration agreement. There are currently 90 pupils on roll aged up to 11 years old.  The school’s website is currently being redesigned. In the meantime, all the required policies and information are available in hard copy to parents.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s application for a material change to its registration. The proprietor wishes to increase the number of pupils on roll and extend the age range.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 are met.  The inspector met with the headteacher and the head of secular studies. He toured the premises and reviewed a range of key documents and policies in relation to the independent school standards. He also briefly observed learning in all classrooms.  The inspector took account of the 16 recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey for parents (Parent View).

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Inspection team

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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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