Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls Stratford Road, Hendon, London NW4 2AT

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) and 2(1)(a)  The progress monitoring visit in September 2017, identified that there were no curriculum plans in place for French, and that the plan for music had only recently been drawn up.  The action plan stated that all the required curriculum plans, including those for French, Biblical Hebrew and music would be completed by 27 October 2017. The plan also stated that these would be submitted to governors for monitoring and evaluation.  Suitable curriculum plans are now in place for all the required areas of learning. In addition, leaders have prepared curriculum plans for financial literacy and e-safety.  The requirements for this paragraph are met. Paragraph 3, 3(a) and 3(g)  The progress monitoring visit in September 2017 found that leaders had not established a system to measure pupils’ progress across all subjects and year groups. As a result,

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Main inspection findings

leaders were not able to provide convincing evidence that pupils made good progress in a range of subjects.  The action plan stated that staff training had commenced in readiness for the introduction of the school’s new assessment system in January 2018.  During the inspection, the inspector and the headteacher visited four classrooms. Pupils were taking part in a range of academic work that included history, Jewish studies, mathematics and science. An appropriate range of activities was available to enable pupils to work conscientiously and to achieve well across all of the required seven areas of learning.  From January 2018, a new commercial assessment system was introduced following extensive staff training. Early indications show that staff are increasingly confident in using the system to pinpoint any underachievement so that support can be given, when necessary.  The requirements for this paragraph are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The safeguarding policy reflects the Secretary of State’s latest guidance, published by the Department for Education: ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016). It also makes reference to ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (rev. February 2018).  Leaders and the proprietor have created a strong safeguarding ethos in the school. They take safeguarding very seriously, which is demonstrated by the very careful attention given to all pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the school follows the local authority’s protocols for making safeguarding referrals, and that effective risk assessments are in place for a range of activities. All appointed staff have completed the required safeguarding training, including for the ‘Prevent’ duty.  The written behaviour policy makes clear that its purpose is to offer a positive approach

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Main inspection findings

to help support each pupil in managing and improving their own behaviour. There is an appropriate range of sanctions and rewards, together with clear expectations of staff in managing all types of bullying. Suitable records of sanctions for incidents of serious misbehaviour are kept.  Leaders have ensured that the school’s written health and safety and first aid policies are effectively implemented. The building and facilities, which include classrooms, offices, a medical room and social areas, are clean, safe and well maintained. Visits to all areas of the school show that pupils are more than adequately supervised.  Policies and written risk assessments have been completed, are of good quality and meet all the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. A visit from an external fire safety company took place on 23 November 2017 to check compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This visit found that

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Main inspection findings

the school met the requirements for fire safety. Fire exits are clearly signposted so that pupils are able to leave the building quickly and safely.  Admission and attendance registers are well-maintained, and their formats meet requirements.  The school continues to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The purpose-built site opened in 1997. The five-storey building consists of 26 classrooms and includes specialist teaching areas for art, home economics, information and communication technology, music, science and textiles. There is a separate entrance on the ground floor, and leaders have devised an appropriate accessibility plan to fulfil its

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Main inspection findings

duties under the Equality Act 2010.  Suitable toilet, changing and showering facilities are provided. Staff have their own separate toilets.  The premises are safe, secure and well maintained. The health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured through effective implementation of the school’s health and safety procedures.  A suitable medical room with washing facilities is provided, which pupils may use if they become unwell. A toilet is located nearby.  The acoustic features and sound insulation, together with internal and external lighting, are suitable throughout the building.  Water supplies, including regulated hot water and labelled drinking water, meet requirements.  Suitable safe outside space is available for pupils’ physical education and recreation activities.  The school continues to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c) and 32(1)(f)

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Main inspection findings

 The progress monitoring visit in September 2017 had identified that the new template for reports, to include pupil’s progress, had not been implemented.  In the school’s action plan, it stated that this had been rectified.  A new report template has been designed, which records pupils’ attainment and progress for all subjects studied.  All the required policies, including those for safeguarding and child protection, are available to parents and carers on request from the school office.  The school meets the requirements for these paragraphs.  The school meets all the requirements for this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  Senior staff have a good knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They, together with the proprietors, have been successful in addressing the remaining unmet parts of the standards that were highlighted at the last progress monitoring

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Main inspection findings

inspection in September 2017.  Senior staff provided the inspector with a range of evidence to show that the school provides suitable opportunities for pupils to learn and make progress across all the required seven areas of learning. They have also ensured that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education.  The proprietor, governors, headteacher and senior staff have ensured that all aspects relating to the standards concerning the quality of education have been covered. As a result, they have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards are consistently met, and that pupils’ welfare is safeguarded.  The school site is more than adequate to accommodate the proposed increase in roll from 246 to 280.

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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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 2(1)(a) a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 3(a) the teaching at the school enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; and – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly, and that information from that assessment is used to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; – 32(1)(f) an annual written report of each registered pupil’s progress and attainment in the main subject areas taught is provided to the parents of that registered pupil, except that no report need be provided where the parent has agreed otherwise.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school: – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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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

Type of school Independent Jewish girls’ day school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Girls

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 31

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 2–4 November 2016

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Information about this school

 The Beth Jacob Grammar School (BJGS) provides education for girls from 11 to 17 years of age. The school is registered for 246 pupils but at the time of the inspection 272 pupils were on roll.  The BJGS is run as a non-profit organisation. The school opened in 1980 and moved to its current purpose-built site in 1997. Around 60% of curriculum time is devoted to the teaching of secular subjects and around 40% to the faith curriculum. There is an entrance examination. However, the school takes pupils of all academic abilities.  The school serves a Jewish community in north-west London.  It aims to ensure that ‘pupils grow into productive and successful adults, developing their academic, spiritual, physical and emotional skills, while remaining true to the teachings of the Torah to become honest and respectful citizens.’  Almost all students go on to seminaries, either at the age of 16 or one year later, aged

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Information about this school

17. A small number of students remain in the school until the end of Year 12 and complete their A-level courses within one year. The school enters some pupils early for public examinations.  A small minority of pupils have been identified as having special educational needs. There are no girls who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use off-site training or other provision.  The school does not have a website, but all the required policies are available to parents on request from the school office.  The school’s last full standard inspection took place in November 2016, when a number of unmet independent school standards were identified and the school was judged as inadequate overall.

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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.  At the request of the DfE, the inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector was asked to report against the requirements contained within Parts 1, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards.  At the time of the last standard inspection in November 2016, its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The first progress monitoring inspection took place in September 2017, which judged that a number of independent school standards were still unmet. The school subsequently submitted an action plan, which was approved, with modifications, in December 2017 by the DfE.  In addition, the DfE asked the inspector to consider the school’s application to increase

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Information about this inspection

the number of pupils on roll from 246 to 280. In so doing, the inspector was asked to report against the requirements contained within Parts 3 and 5 of the independent school standards.  The inspector visited four classrooms to observe learning and to look at pupils’ work. He held discussions with the senior staff and scrutinised a wide range of documentation related to the independent school standards, including teaching plans and schemes of work. The inspector also reviewed key documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

David Scott, 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

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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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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