Beis Malka Girls school

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

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is detailed, thorough and up to date. It takes account of the most recent guidance and legislation.  The headteacher and the leader for safeguarding ensure that the staff are aware of key statutory guidance on safeguarding, such as ‘Keeping children safe in education’, 2018. The acting headteacher has been successful in creating a culture of vigilance in the school.  The school does not have a website. However, parents and carers may obtain copies of the safeguarding policy and other documentation relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils from the school office.  A written health and safety policy is in place which outlines all procedures to keep pupils and staff safe. The policy is supported by other documentation such as the fire safety policy.  Leaders ensure that clear procedures are in place if staff have any concerns about

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Main inspection findings

pupils. Pupils spoken to during the inspection said that they felt safe in school. They were confident that they could speak to members of staff if they needed support or advice.  The standards in this part are met. Paragraph 12, 25  Leaders ensure effective management of the school premises, accommodation and facilities. Escape routes are clearly displayed throughout the premises including in all classrooms. Risk assessments have been carried out on the building. These highlight potential hazards such as safeguarding, fire safety, water egress and maintenance of boundaries and gates. Leaders have taken appropriate action on all risks identified to reduce potential dangers.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The fire risk assessment, undertaken by a specialist external company, is detailed and thorough. The risk assessment shows that the premises comply with

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Main inspection findings

regulations and meet the required standards.  Work to check the safety of electrical installations and equipment is up to date. For example, portable appliance testing is undertaken regularly. Annual maintenance of firefighting equipment ensures that this is in good working order.  Regular fire drills ensure that staff and pupils are clear on procedures to evacuate the building. Paperwork provided by leaders shows that the time taken for all pupils, staff and visitors to leave the building is typically two minutes or under. Teachers and pupils spoken to by the inspector demonstrated a clear awareness of the school’s evacuation procedures. Pupils said that they know how to evacuate the building from any point because they have practised regularly and have instruction from teachers. A recent unplanned fire evacuation was successful and tested the school’s procedures well.  The school’s accessibility policy is up to date. Leaders make sure that they take

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Main inspection findings

account of the needs of pupils with disabilities when planning improvements to the school premises.  Fire routes are visible. Clear signage is in place to enable adults and children to leave the building safely.  Classroom risk assessments are undertaken daily by teachers. This ensures that the health and safety of pupils is regularly reviewed.  The school buildings are maintained to an acceptable standard. However, some classrooms are undergoing refurbishment, or have planned updates.  The standards in this part are 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 were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Voluntary contributions

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14–16 November 2017

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Information about this school

 Beis Malka Belz Girls School is registered as an independent day school for Jewish Orthodox girls from the ages of three to 15. The school has an early years foundation stage, primary classes in key stages 1 and 2 and secondary classes in key stage 3, Years 7 to 9.  Pupils study Kodesh studies (Jewish studies) in the morning and Chol studies (the national curriculum) in the afternoon. Kodesh lessons are taught in Yiddish and Chol lessons in English.  Approximately one in nine pupils speak English as an additional language, which is below the national average. However, most pupils speak both English and Yiddish at home  The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly average. A very small minority of pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school plays an important role in meeting the needs of the Chassidic community in Salford. It is intended that pupils will develop an understanding of the foundation upon

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Information about this school

which Jewish life is structured through the school’s Kodesh curriculum. Both the Kodesh and Chol curriculums aim to develop good character traits in pupils and foster their spiritual, social, emotional and cultural development.  The school is currently being led by an acting headteacher.  No pupils attend any off-site alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conduct an emergency inspection to report against paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12 and 25 of the independent school standards. This is because leaders did not respond to fire survey questions issued to all independent schools on 18 July 2017.  This emergency inspection was unannounced.  The inspector examined the school’s fire risk assessment folder and related documentation relating to fire safety.  The inspector held discussions with the acting headteacher and two school administrators who were responsible for the management of the school premises. She spoke with the designated lead for safeguarding in the school. She also spoke with a group of pupils and other members of staff about fire evacuation procedures in school.  The inspector carried out a detailed inspection of the school premises accompanied by the headteacher and the two administrators.

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Inspection team

Gill Pritchard, 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

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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