Setting

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 4234 www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.1

Mr Michael Woolf Headteacher North Cheshire Jewish Primary School St Ann’s Road North Heald Green Cheadle Cheshire SK8 4RZ

p.1

School

Following my visit to your school on 6 March 2019, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to confirm the inspection findings.

p.1

School

This inspection was conducted under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 and in accordance with Ofsted’s published procedures for inspecting schools with no formal designation. The inspection was carried out because Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector was concerned about aspects of the effectiveness of governors of the school in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.

p.1

Evidence

I scrutinised the single central record and other documents relating to safeguarding and child protection arrangements. I met with the headteacher, five members of the senior leadership team, two groups each of 14 pupils, four members of the governing body and a representative of the local authority. In addition, I scrutinised documents relating to the governance of the school and a range of policies which related to the statutory requirements of leaders and governors.

p.1

Evidence

Having considered the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time:

p.1

Evidence

the school’s arrangements for safeguarding are effective and meet requirements

p.1

Evidence

leaders and managers, including governors, take action to ensure that they meet most of their statutory responsibilities.

p.1

Context

North Cheshire Jewish Primary School is a smaller-than-average primary school that has a Jewish faith religious character. It has a small number of pupils from minority ethnic groups, including some pupils who have other faiths. The school has a much lower than average proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged. The school has sustained high standards in the outcomes that pupils achieve in the end of key stage 1 and key stage 2 national assessments. Additionally, the above-average proportions of pupils who attain a good level of development at the end of early years remain high. Pupils are proud of their school and the rich and engaging curriculum it offers. Staff share this pride. They were eager to show me examples of pupils’ work which reflected high academic standards and beautiful presentation.

p.2

Context

The school has strong and well-embedded procedures for all aspects of safeguarding. The comprehensive and up-to-date safeguarding policy is implemented consistently across the school. Well-trained staff are vigilant in undertaking their duties to ensure pupils’ safety, including those duties related to the prevention of extremism and radicalisation. Pupils spoken with during the inspection said they feel safe in school. They clearly articulated how to keep safe in the wider community, including while they are online, because of the teaching they have received. Safeguarding records are meticulously kept and fit for purpose. Leaders share information regarding safeguarding concerns with parents, carers and appropriate authorities as necessary. Governors have ensured that the school internet connection is subject to appropriate monitoring and filtering.

p.2

Context

In addition to evaluating the culture of safeguarding within the school, this inspection investigated how effectively leaders and managers, including governors, fulfil their statutory responsibilities. The line of enquiry focused on governors’ compliance with the School Information Regulations 2012 which cover the information that is published on the school’s website. Additionally, it evaluated the actions taken by governors to fulfil their responsibilities regarding the arrangement of a faith-focused inspection under section 48 of the Education Act. Furthermore, the line of enquiry scrutinised how well leaders had ensured that the school met the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

p.2

Context

Governors have ensured that the school’s website contains all the information required by the School Information Regulations 2012. The website is vibrant and informative. The information is easily accessible, up to date and contains clear information about the school’s most recent Ofsted and Section 48 inspections. Additionally, the website highlights the rich curriculum available to pupils and celebrates their success in learning. This includes clear information for parents about the strong outcomes that have been achieved by pupils in the 2017 and 2018 key stage 2 and key stage 1 statutory assessments.

p.2

Context

Leaders fulfil their statutory duties to ensure that the school complies with the requirements of the Equality Act. Leaders’ commitment to equality is embedded throughout the school and reflects the school’s faith-based ethos of respect and tolerance. The promotion of equality is strong. Equality is embedded in staff appointment procedures, the school’s admissions policy and the school’s rich curriculum. The school is a culturally diverse learning community in which staff are well trained in the promotion of equality. Pupils show excellent understanding and respect for the different communities, including those identified with protected characteristics, that are found within British society. This is because of the high- quality teaching and support that they receive. Pupils confidently explained that although there may be differences between these groups’ lifestyles and beliefs, they should be treated with equal respect and tolerance. This was exemplified in the

p.2

Context

comment, ‘different families but one love’. Boys and girls work inclusively during lessons, including physical education, and play harmoniously at breaktimes. Older pupils take responsibility in leading play in key stage 1 and the early years to ensure that younger pupils benefit from the high-quality resources available to them.

p.3

Context

Section 48 of the Education Act 2015 requires the governors of a faith school to ensure the inspection of any denominational education given to pupils and the content of the school’s collective worship. The governors ensured that they complied with the legislation to commission their most recent section 48 inspection in November 2018. The inspection was concluded within the prescribed timescales identified within legislation. Governors applied a clear and appropriate rationale to appoint the lead inspector. This included due consideration of the skills and experience of a number of inspectors, including those named on a list supplied by the prescribed body. However, governors did not follow the section 48 protocols and consult with the prescribed body, which is required by the Act. This means there has been a contravention of the section 48 protocols. Governors did not fulfil their statutory responsibility when choosing the lead inspector for the section 48

p.3

Priorities for further improvement

 Governors adhere to the consultation procedures when commissioning future section 48 inspections of the school. I am copying this letter to the chair of the governing body, the regional schools commissioner and the director of children’s services for Stockport. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

p.3