Beis Ruchel D'Satmar London

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication Beis Ruchel D’Satmar 117 Stamford Hill, London N16 5RS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(b); 2(1)(b)(ii); 2(2)(d); 2(2)(d)(ii); 2(2)(i); 3(i); 3(j); 5(a); 5(b); 5(b)(v) and 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection, in January 2019, found that leaders had continued to develop their work to promote ‘universal respect’. However, leaders were unable to provide enough evidence that they actively promote mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Pupils were not being enabled to acquire an appreciation of other cultures.  This inspection confirmed that pupils learn about different cultural traditions through the Kodesh curriculum and discuss religions in a historical context. This includes Roman ideology, Egyptian culture and the history of Christianity. Pupils are also taught about the traditions of other religions such as Ramadan and Christmas. However, there remains insufficient evidence that leaders actively promote mutual respect and tolerance

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Main inspection findings

of those with different faiths and beliefs.  As at the previous inspection, inspectors were prevented from speaking to pupils about their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders reaffirmed that they make no reference to promoting protected characteristics. As a result, the school does not ensure that pupils are prepared effectively for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  Inspectors found no evidence to indicate that the school undermines the fundamental British values or discriminates against pupils.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards listed above are met. Paragraph 2(2) f);  The previous inspection found that the school was providing children in the early years with sufficient opportunities to learn and reach a good standard in English language. This inspection found that this continues to be the case.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that this independent standard is met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7; 7(a); 7(b)  The previous inspection found that the child protection policy did not include the latest statutory guidance. Some staff had not been trained since April 2018, and were, as a result, unaware of the new guidance. Leaders’ understanding of the latest statutory guidance and the school’s child protection policy was poor.  This inspection found that the child protection policy now includes reference to the latest guidance (‘Keeping children safe in education’, September 2018). In addition, all teachers received training in January 2019 and have signed to say that they have read the latest guidance. However, the failings identified in Part 3 show that the arrangements to promote the welfare of pupils are not yet effective.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards checked (listed above)

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Main inspection findings

are met. Paragraph 11; 12; 13, 16; 16(a); 16(b) and 25  The inspection in April 2018 confirmed that leaders had taken appropriate action to meet the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It also found that there was a suitable health and safety policy, and that the medical room was properly equipped. There was an appropriate risk assessment policy, which was implemented effectively.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have ensured that the standards relating to fire safety and the medical room are met. Leaders used an external provider to carry out a ‘safe check review’ in February 2019. This concluded that safety was ‘generally satisfactory’, and identified a number of areas that needed improving, including housekeeping and children’s play equipment.  Inspectors found that although there are clear policies for health and safety and risk assessment, these have not been put into practice effectively. Concerns about

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Main inspection findings

housekeeping and play equipment, as identified by the safety check, had not been addressed by the time of this inspection. For example, classrooms are often untidy and sometimes unhygienic. In the food technology room, there were open packets of sugar left on counter-tops, and dirt and crumbs on the cookers. In the early years, there were cleaning materials left out in the toilets and trailing electrical leads in some classrooms. Broken children’s bicycles have not been removed from the playground. Numerous pieces of discarded furniture, some with sharp edges, were left at one side of the main playground.  Leaders agreed that these concerns were a risk to pupils’ health, safety and welfare. They subsequently removed the broken bicycles and discarded furniture by the end of day, but only after these risks were pointed out by inspectors.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards checked (listed

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Main inspection findings

above) are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)(a); 18(2)(b); 18(2)(d); 18(2)(e); 21(1); 21(3)(a); 21(3)(a)(ii); 21(3)(a)(iii); 21(3)(a)(v); 21(3)(a)(vi); 21(3)(a)(viii); 21(3)(b)  The inspection in April 2018 confirmed that leaders had tackled previously identified weaknesses, and that the single central register met requirements.  This inspection found that these paragraphs continue to be met.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent standards in this part are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1)(a); 24(1)(b)  The previous inspection found that a new toilet facility had been installed next to the medical room. This inspection confirms that this remains the case.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards checked in this part are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1); 32(1)(g)  Although leaders provided the range of information requested for this inspection, leaders

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Main inspection findings

were again unable to agree to or organise for inspectors to talk to pupils. This was because parents had written to the school in February 2018, asking leaders not to allow their children to meet with inspectors.  The inability to gain the views of pupils, including in respect of matters related to behaviour, safety and welfare, was disappointing. It meant that inspectors were again unable to gain sufficient evidence to conclude that all the independent school standards were met.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards related to the paragraphs listed above are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1); 34(1)(a); 34(1)(b); 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found that leaders had made some progress towards meeting the independent school standards. This was especially so in relation to premises and the early years provision. However, standards associated with equality and safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

remained unmet.  This inspection confirmed that the standards associated with equality and safeguarding continue to be unmet.  The school continues to operate outside of its registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE). The school is registered to admit 200 pupils, aged five to 11, but it currently provides education for 679 pupils aged three to 15, including 177 children in the early years.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met. Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage  The previous inspection found that the school continued to operate unregistered early years provision for 177 pupils. This remains the case.  The previous inspection established that children were given sufficient opportunities to learn and reach a good standard in English language. Assessment of children’s skills in English was secure. This inspection confirmed that these standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

 The previous inspection stated that paragraphs 3.4, 3.6 and 3.7 of the statutory requirements were not met.  This inspection found that paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 are now met. All staff have been trained to understand safeguarding procedures, and policies now have regard to statutory guidance. However, the failings identified in Part 3 mean that paragraph 3.4 of the statutory guidance for early years remains unmet.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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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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 Strictly orthodox Jewish day school for girls

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School details

Email address m.lunczer@satmarschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 June 2016

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Information about this school

 Beis Ruchel D’Satmar School is a strictly orthodox Jewish independent day school for girls in the London Borough of Hackney.  The school is registered for up to 200 girls between the ages of five and 11 years old. However, there are 679 girls aged from three to 15 years old on the school’s roll. This includes 177 children in the unregistered early years provision.  The school’s most recent inspection was its third progress monitoring inspection, which took place in January 2019.  At the time of the previous standard inspection in June 2016, the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision for older pupils.  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 not to comply with at its previous inspection.  This fourth progress monitoring inspection was carried out without notice.  Inspectors focused on the school’s compliance with particular requirements in Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. In addition, paragraphs 3.4, 3.6 and 3.7 of the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage were considered.  Inspectors held discussions with leaders, including the headteacher, trustees and the school coordinator (who is also the designated safeguarding lead). Inspectors also spoke with curriculum leaders.  Inspectors toured the premises and visited the majority of classrooms.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspectors scrutinised a range of documentation related to the independent school standards, including those related to safeguarding, the curriculum and the early years provision.  Inspectors considered the 20 recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View.  The school’s proprietor, who is also the chair, was unavailable during the inspection.  Inspectors were unable to meet with pupils during the inspection, in accordance with parents’ wishes.

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Inspection team

Brian Oppenheim, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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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

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are— – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which— – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor— – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which— – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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)(g) any information reasonably requested in connection with an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act which is required for the purposes of the inspection is provided to the body conducting the inspection and that body is given access to the school’s admission and attendance registers;

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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; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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