Beis Malka Girls school

School material change inspection report

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

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b)), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g)), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  Leaders have a suitable written curriculum policy which includes a sufficiently broad range of subjects. Leaders intend that pupils will be able to continue their studies from Year 10, so that they can complete their secondary education at the school. The curriculum is designed to enable pupils to study a range of subjects, including English, mathematics, science, computing and art and design.  Leaders have appointed subject-specialist teachers. Leaders have also provided training and support for existing teaching staff at the school. This will ensure that the school has staff with the expertise to teach pupils up to the end of key stage 4.  The school proposes to follow the national curriculum. Pupils will be able to continue

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Main inspection findings

to follow courses leading to GCSE and functional skills qualifications.  Leaders have put in place acceptable plans to provide careers education, information, advice and guidance for pupils. Leaders have plans for work experience placements for pupils.  Leaders have ensured that there is suitable provision to support those pupils who are new to or in the early stages of learning English. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  Leaders will provide a suite of accredited courses for Year 11 pupils, including GCSEs and functional skills qualifications.  Examples of lesson planning show that teachers are likely to deliver well-planned lessons, appropriate to the needs and prior learning of pupils. The acting headteacher’s and head of Chol’s experience and expertise indicate that they are well placed to be able to secure high-quality teaching when the material changes are

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Main inspection findings

implemented.  The school has a suitable assessment policy which is detailed and clear. Pupils’ progress towards their individual targets will be tracked and evidenced. Leaders will be able to analyse this information to identify pupils not making expected progress. Leaders have well-developed plans for support, which could be put into place swiftly to help these pupils to catch up.  Senior leaders have ensured that there are dedicated key stage 4 classrooms. There are also specialist teaching rooms, including those for science, art and food technology. These rooms are set up in readiness for the new classes.  All the standards of quality of education in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii) and 5(d)(iii)  Leaders’ plans for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils are well developed. These plans provide many opportunities to promote actively pupils’ tolerance and respect for others, regardless of differences. The school’s curriculum policy and plans include personal, social and health education and citizenship lessons.  Daily collective worship as well as assemblies will provide further opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences.  Pupils will be encouraged to take part in volunteering activities in the local community. Leaders have well-developed plans in place for the pupils to undertake charitable works.  Appropriate systems and staff guidance are in place to ensure that any political or

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Main inspection findings

other views will be presented in a balanced way. Staff have been trained in the ‘Prevent’ duty. Pupils will be taught how to protect themselves online and in the wider community.  The standards for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7,7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have written detailed policies for health and safety, risk assessment and first aid. All policies reflect current government guidance.  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy. This takes account of current statutory guidance. All staff receive comprehensive safeguarding training as part of their induction and at regular intervals through the year.  The school’s curriculum plans include opportunities for pupils to be taught about potential risks and how to keep themselves safe.  The school does not have a website. However, all policies, including those related to safeguarding, are made available to parents and carers as hard copies, on request. Paragraphs 11, 12  Leaders have implemented suitable health and safety, risk assessment and first aid policies.  Leaders have ensured that the building has adequate fire signage, an appropriate

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Main inspection findings

assembly point, and fire-detection and alarm systems. The school’s policy sets out requirements for the frequency of fire drills, alarm tests and fire-fighting equipment checks. Leaders keep a record of all fire drills, identifying any remedial actions which need to be taken to improve pupil, staff and visitor safety further.  Leaders have appropriate risk assessments in place for the range of activities that pupils will take part in, including practical science lessons and off-site visits. Paragraph 14  Leaders have appointed additional teaching staff for the Year 11 classes. Moreover, leaders have identified existing staff who will also work with the new Year 11 class. These staff have received suitable training and support to help them to carry out their new roles and responsibilities.  There is sufficient staffing to ensure that pupils will be closely supervised throughout the school day. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s risk assessment policies are up to date and are used as working documents. They are regularly reviewed, amended and updated as appropriate. Relevant risks are identified, and appropriate responses are in place.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The acting headteacher, governors and senior leaders demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. Plans are in place to ensure that there are continuous developments and improvements to promote the continued safety and well-being of all pupils.  Policies for safeguarding and health and safety are appropriate for the age range and number of pupils to be provided for. Staff ensure that pupils are always fully supervised. Leaders actively promote the well-being and safety of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have prepared a full accessibility plan for the school.  This requirement is likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet 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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material changes that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Voluntary contributions

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School details

Email address headoffice@beismalka.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14–16 November 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 15 3 to 16 3 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 270 328 328

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Girls Girls Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 270 328

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 60 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 1 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 2 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 59 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 32 36

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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 keys stages 1 and 2 and secondary classes in Years 7 to 10.  Pupils study both Kodesh (Jewish) studies and Chol (the national curriculum) studies. The Kodesh studies are taught in Yiddish and the 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 part in meeting the needs of the Chassidic community in Salford. It is intended that pupils will develop an understanding of the foundation

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Information about this school

upon 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 led by an acting headteacher.  No pupils attend any off-site provision.  The school was previously inspected in November 2017. A further inspection was carried out in December 2018. This was an emergency inspection carried out by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education (DfE). At both inspections, inspectors reported that all of the independent school standards that were checked, were met.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE, which is the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and other requirements if it increases its age range to 16 and its maximum capacity to 328.  The inspector met with the acting headteacher, senior leaders and governors. The inspector also spoke with the proprietor. She toured the school, accompanied by the school leaders.  The inspector scrutinised available documents to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and their requirements. These included the school’s curriculum plans, the safeguarding policy and other policies concerning health and safety.

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Inspection team

Pippa Jackson Maitland, 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

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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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