Edgware Jewish Girls - Beis Chinuch

School material change inspection report

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Edgware Jewish Girls – Beis Chinuch 296 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8NP

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Leaders have revised the school’s safeguarding policies to take account of the Secretary of State’s revised guidance, published by the Department for Education, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2018) and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (July 2018). Conversations with leaders showed they had a good understanding of the latest guidance and have ensured that staff are conversant with current safeguarding requirements. The school does not have a website, but all policies are available from the school office on request.  Four staff have undertaken appropriate designated safeguarding lead training, with two based at each site. The head of Jewish studies is the overall designated lead for the school. Together, they have established a strong culture of safeguarding in the school. As a result, there is a clear understanding across the school that safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

is everyone’s responsibility. Both they and staff are vigilant, and leaders report that staff regularly share the most minor of concerns. This enables leaders to have confidence in staff, as well as to follow up any concerns and provide early help, if needed.  Staff routinely receive appropriate training. Additional training in aspects of safeguarding, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), emotional needs and neglect, deepen staff awareness, knowledge and understanding on safeguarding matters.  Safeguarding matters are regularly reviewed to check and improve practice and to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding and pupil well-being.  Systems for the recruitment of staff are well documented and thorough, and meet the independent school standard requirements for the suitability of staff. Staff files are well kept, and references are diligently sought. Leaders have undertaken appropriate training in safer recruitment.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils were seen to get on well together. Pupils said that they feel safe and well looked after at school, and expressed confidence in staff to help them if they have a concern or worry. Pupils of all ages are taught in an age-appropriate way about how to keep themselves safe in everyday life, including when using computers. Talks from the police, for example, enhance their learning on how to keep themselves safe. They cover issues such as stranger danger and risks resulting from busy roads in London.  The school meets these standards. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school has in place a range of policies to cover the management of health and safety and fire safety, as well as risk assessments. These have all been revised, and take account of the two additional classrooms and revised teaching arrangements across the two sites. Policies and procedures are comprehensive, and are implemented so they meet all the required aspects of health and safety. Risks

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Main inspection findings

assessments cover all aspects of school life at both sites, and the age range of pupils, including for children in the early years. Daily checks of both sites help to ensure pupils’ health and safety in school. Risk assessments and how risk is mitigated during off-site visits are more detailed than those for risks in school. Nonetheless, leaders showed very secure understanding of health and safety matters and of potential risks and their mitigation, and act on these daily.  Health and safety checks relating to the overall premises, such as fire risk assessment and electrical installation certification, are the responsibility of the building owners. Fire safety assessments to check compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are in place for both buildings, and are shared with the school. An externally-led health and safety and fire risk assessment of the early years site took place in April 2018. This identified a number of concerns. Evidence seen during the

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Main inspection findings

inspection showed that the most serious issues have been addressed. These fire risk assessments are based on the main use of the buildings as synagogues. However, school leaders have undertaken fire risk assessments for both sites in relation to the use of the premises as schools. Fire exits are signposted at both sites. They have also ensured that school evacuation procedures and assembly points are displayed throughout both sites. Leaders ensure that regular fire drills take place at both sites at different times of the day. This ensures that staff who work, either in the morning or afternoons, are familiar with the procedures for evacuating the premises. Firefighting equipment and fire alarm systems are routinely tested and serviced.  Pupils are well supervised at all times of the school day, including break and lunchtimes, and when moving around the two sites. Staff are watchful, and interact well with pupils. Leaders have set clear arrangements for parents when they drop off

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Main inspection findings

and collect their children each day to ensure the safety of pupils.  The school meets these standards.  The school meets all the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(2)(f), 18(3), 18(4), 18(4)(a), 18(4)(b), 18(4)(c)  Leaders, governors and proprietors have undertaken all the mandatory pre- employment checks required before appointing staff. Recruitment requirements are well understood by school leaders and rigorously adhered to. Consequently, all of the required checks on the suitability of staff appointed at the school have been undertaken. This includes right to work and enhanced criminal record checks for all staff, as well as prohibition checks for staff who are qualified teachers.

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Main inspection findings

 The school meets these standards. Paragraph 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(3)(b), 20(3)(b)(i), 20(3)(b)(ii) and 20(3)(b)(iii)  The chair of the proprietorial body has ensured that all of the required checks on other trustees and members of the governing body have been undertaken.  The school meets these standards. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(30(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b), 21(8)  Leaders have ensured that a single central register showing all of the required checks for staff, members of the proprietorial body and governors is fully and accurately maintained. The school does not make use of supply staff.  The school meets these standards.  The school meets all of the requirements for this part of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 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 two new classrooms are purpose-built to a high standard for teaching early years children, and are located at the school’s second site. The new and separate building is located at one end of the school’s outdoor play area so that there is easy, although not open, access to outdoor learning. Each classroom has direct access to its own set of two toilets and a separate sink for hand washing. Both are light and airy, well equipped and resourced for reception-aged children. Classrooms can adequately accommodate up to 22 children in each. The classrooms are already in use to their full capacity.  With the additional classroom provision at the early years site, and higher numbers in

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Main inspection findings

Year 2 and above, Year 1 pupils are taught at the early years site.  At the main site, this has enabled Year 3 to be taught in two classes. Additional small rooms and a hall area at the main site provide enough flexibility to meet the older pupils’ learning needs. This includes for small groups and individual learning.  The outdoor area at the early years site is safely fenced and adequately supervised. The area has been enlarged so that pupils have more space to play at recreation times and for outdoor learning opportunities. At the main site, pupils have use of the rooftop play area. This is staggered at break and lunchtimes to ensure that pupils have sufficient and safe recreation space.  Other facilities at the early years site and the main site remain as they were at the time of the February 2018 inspection. At both sites, first aid accommodation, while adequate, is basic. At the main site, toilets are adequate and just sufficient in number

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Main inspection findings

when the main teaching classrooms are used to their capacity. At both sites, hot water is regulated and drinking water is available and labelled.  Leaders have revised policies and risk assessments to take account of the new accommodation and use of both sites. All areas of both sites are safe, secure and adequately maintained. Displays across both sites are relevant to the curriculum, celebrate pupil success and enhance the environments. However, the stairs to the upper floor, at the main site, look worn. The decor at the early years site, other than the two new classrooms, is jaded.  There are no issues with noise or acoustics at either site. Internal lighting is good. There are windows in all classrooms and suitable lighting. External lighting ensures that pupils and staff can enter and leave the premises safely when it is dark.  The school meets all of the requirements for this part of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34 (1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have continued to make sure that the independent school standards are met consistently. Leaders have increased the number of pupils on roll since the last inspection from 237, which exceeded the school’s registered capacity of 207, to 261. At the current time, the number of pupils in each of the year groups varies. Leaders have good knowledge of the cohort sizes and pupils’ learning needs. They have used this knowledge to make well-founded decisions and flexible use of each of the classrooms and other facilities across the school’s two sites. They have carefully planned the construction and commissioning of the two new classrooms so that additional pupils can be suitably accommodated.  Proprietors, particularly the chair of the proprietorial body, work with the synagogue

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Main inspection findings

leaders at each site to ensure the health, safety and well-being of pupils. School leaders and the chair of the proprietorial body communicate and meet regularly. However, discussions and proposed actions are not routinely documented.  Leaders have a clear strategic vision for the school and have plans to further expand the school. They have acted in response to the last inspection and have revised development plans to improve teaching and learning. Leaders have secured the confidence of staff, who appreciate the training opportunities provided to them and fully support improvement actions.  The school meets all of the requirements for this part of the independent school standards. Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders ensure that safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage 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

Proprietor Beis Chinuch Primary School Ltd

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20–22 February 2018

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 261 280 274

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recommendation

The assessment is based on the number of pupils that can be suitably accommodated in classrooms at each of the two sites, the number of toilets and the available outdoor space. Consideration was also given to the number of toilets at each site, their location in relation to the teaching spaces and pupil ages. Taking this into account, there is suitable accommodation for 162 pupils at the main site, and 112 on the early years site.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 261 280

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 20 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 32.5 34.5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 46 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 Edgware Jewish Girls School is an independent, faith-based day school owned by the registered company Beis Chinuch Primary School Ltd.  The school opened in 2007 and serves the Orthodox Jewish community of Edgware.  It is situated on two sites, both at synagogues in Edgware. Parts of both these buildings are shared with visitors to the synagogues.  The school is currently registered for 207 pupils aged from three to 11, with 261 pupils currently on roll. Pupils are taught in single-aged classes from Nursery to Year 6. Pupils in Year 2 and above are taught at the main site. Younger pupils are taught at the second site.  On a day-to-day basis, the school is led by the leaders of Jewish studies (Kodesh), the secular curriculum (Chol) and early years.  The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or difficulties (SEND) is below the national average. There are no pupils who have an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this school

 The school does not have a website. Parents are made aware that policies are available from the school office on request.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. 1  The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s application for a material change to increase the school registration number to 280 pupils, following the construction of two additional new classrooms.  The inspector was asked to focus on the independent school standards 7, 11, 12, 14 and 16 in part 3 and all the standards in parts 4, 5, and 8. These related to the premises, pupils’ health and safety, safeguarding and leadership and management for the proposed increase in the school roll.  The inspection was carried out with two days’ notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher, head of Kodesh, head of Chol, head of early years, the school’s administration manager and the secretary based at the early years

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Information about this inspection

site. She also met the chair of the proprietorial body, a small group of teachers and some pupils from Years 5 and 6. She examined school safeguarding, welfare, health and safety documentation, which included fire safety arrangements at both sites.  The inspector toured both sites at different times of the day, including at break and lunchtime, to observe pupils using the outdoor areas. All classrooms, toilets and offices were visited, all jointly with the head of Jewish studies. At the early years site, she was joined by the head of early years.  There were no new responses to the Ofsted online survey (Parent View) since the last full inspection in February 2018.

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Inspection team

Angela Corbett, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents. 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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