Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketanah of London

Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketanah of London Rear of 1117 Finchley Road, London NW11 0QB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f)  At the time of the previous inspection, in June 2018, the school’s secular curriculum was not sufficiently resourced and did not lead to consistently strong pupil outcomes. It did not enable pupils to develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills effectively. In addition, teachers’ expectations were not high enough and they did not use assessment effectively.  The school’s action plan provides detailed information about how leaders intend to meet these standards. For example, leaders intended to ‘source additional curriculum materials to enhance mathematical problem-solving skills’. However, it was not possible to judge the progress made in implementing these aspects. There was insufficient evidence because there were no staff or pupils present.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a), 7(b)  The previous inspection found that leaders failed to fulfil their statutory responsibility to keep all pupils safe. In particular, leaders and governors had failed to inform the local authority about the status of pupils who were being privately fostered. As a result, safeguarding was judged to be ineffective.  The action plan stated that procedures to tackle the weaknesses in the fostering arrangements were completed in July 2018. It also provided information about how leaders would take action to ensure that safeguarding arrangements had regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. However, the action plan failed to mention ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE), 2018.  These aspects could not be inspected because there were no staff present. Consequently, there was no evidence on which to base judgements.  At the time of this inspection it was possible to gain access to all parts of the school

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Main inspection findings

premises without challenge. The premises were not secure. The combination lock on the front door was not engaged. There was no evidence to verify whether the security camera at the entrance to the building was working.  Notices on the door include a request for visitors to sign in at the office, but no indication of how to find it. There is also a notice giving the names of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy DSL, together with their phone numbers. There was no reply from either of these.  There was clear evidence that the building is used. For example, the waste bins were full, books were on the table in the large room that is the school’s synagogue and lights were on. However, the building was unoccupied except for one Year 11 pupil using the photocopier. He said he had been given permission by the Rabbi to photocopy some documents. The pupil stated that the school was closed and that the

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Main inspection findings

other boys were at home.  The pupil was in the school without adult supervision. This presents a serious safeguarding risk, which is made worse by the lack of security at the entrance.  There is some evidence, from a brief discussion with someone from the neighbouring premises, that when the school is in session, there are security guards. However, this could not be confirmed.  The requirements for these paragraphs continue to be unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met. The action plan set out clear actions to tackle the unmet standards, but lacked details about training of staff in relation to KCSIE, 2018.  It was not possible to inspect these standards because staff and pupils were not present. As a result, these standards remain unmet.

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection:  Ensure that that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress and that there is effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society. (Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(h) and 2(2)(i))  Ensure that 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. (Paragraphs 3 and 3(a))  Ensure that teaching involves well-planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; demonstrates good knowledge and understanding

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

of the subject matter being taught; utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range. (Paragraphs 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) and 3(f))  Ensure that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their roles and fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. (Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b))

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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 Orthodox Jewish day school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 June 2018

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Information about this school

 The school was founded in the 1960s, when it was known as ‘The Mechina’. It is an independent, one-form-entry Charedi Jewish School for boys, and has been operating in the London borough of Barnet since 2010.  The school is registered for up to 60 pupils of compulsory school age.  The school currently provides full-time education for 22 boys aged between 13 and 16 for six days each week, from 8.00 am to 6.15 pm on Sunday to Thursday, and from 8.00 am to 12 noon on Friday. The school serves pupils from the immediate Orthodox Jewish community and further afield.  The school is owned by Chabad Lubavitch UK Ltd, which is the proprietor.  The school is founded on the ethos of Chabad Lubavitch and aims to provide pupils with an education that includes a solid grounding in Jewish studies (Kodesh) and a broad general knowledge (Chol, or the secular curriculum). Pupils are expected to develop an awareness of the teachings of Chasidic Judaism and follow the model of

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Information about this school

‘outreach, communal responsibility and adherence to Torah teachings’, in accordance with the guidance of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  Timetabled lessons are provided for the discrete teaching of Kodesh studies and the Chol curriculum, which is known as general studies.  There are no pupils identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school does not have a website.

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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 school’s last full standard inspection was in June 2018, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The school drew up an action plan for improvement in response to the report, which was evaluated by Ofsted in November 2018 and judged to be acceptable with modifications.  This was to have been the school’s first progress monitoring inspection. The inspector was asked to focus on particular requirements contained within Parts 1, 3 and 8 of the independent school standards. However, standards could not be inspected because staff and pupils were not present. As a result, the inspection has been deemed an

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Information about this inspection

emergency inspection.  The inspector was able to gain access to the building unchallenged.  The inspector was unable to talk with leaders, governors or the proprietor, visit lessons or review documentation.

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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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Inspection team

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