Manchester Jewish School for Special Education

School material change inspection report

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Manchester Jewish School for Special Education Manchester Jewish, Community Centre, Bury Old Road, Manchester M7 4QY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 3 and 4  The curriculum for existing pupils and for the proposed student age range of 19 to 25 will be delivered through a range of cultural studies. This will promote pupils’ and students’ independence skills effectively. Plans are in place for students aged 19 to 25 to undertake a variety of accredited courses, according to their needs and abilities. Schemes of work indicate that pupils and students aged 19 to 25 will develop their literacy and numeracy skills.  For existing pupils, lessons will be carefully planned to meet the needs of individual pupils and students. This will promote their learning and progress.  Leaders will continue to undertake regular checks on the quality of teaching through regular work scrutiny and lesson observations. The well-established assessment systems already used for pupils will be extended to include students aged 19 to 25.

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Main inspection findings

 The personal, social, health and economic education (PHSE) programme includes opportunities for pupils to learn about healthy living and being safe. There is also suitable provision for the development of pupils’ understanding of British values, including democracy and the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act.  Pupils who spoke with the inspector said they enjoy looking after animals, such as chickens and rabbits, in the school’s outdoor area. This is carried out under staff supervision and enhances their learning experiences.  Leaders organise a wide range of enrichment activities for pupils, including visits to museums, rock climbing and local shops. Leaders intend to continue this kind of approach with older students and, in so doing, improve their self-confidence and independence skills.  Leaders are committed to ensuring that current pupils and future students receive regular impartial careers guidance. This enables them to explore their different career

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Main inspection findings

options.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  The programmes for PHSE help pupils to develop a secure understanding of the world around them. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted well through the wide range of activities leaders provide, including trips and visits to the local community. Leaders intend that this approach will be extended further for older students.  Through their PSHE lessons, pupils learn about fundamental British values. They have opportunities to develop an appropriate understanding of the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance of others. There is suitable provision for encouraging pupils to distinguish between right and wrong. Leaders intend that this approach will be extended further for any students aged 19 to 25.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders will ensure that pupils and future students receive a balanced presentation of opposing views when they study political issues.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that the school has an up-to-date safeguarding policy which reflects the latest government guidance. The policy provides a suitable framework for protecting older students who have particular vulnerabilities arising from their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  Staff receive regular training on all aspects of safeguarding. They fully understand their responsibilities to keep pupils safe, and know what to do if they have a concern about a pupil’s safety.  Pupils learn how to be safe through their PSHE lessons, and through visits from members of the local community, such as the community police officer.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils said they know whom to speak to when they have a concern. They said that they are confident that staff will listen to them and sort issues out quickly. Paragraph 11, 12, 14  Leaders have in place appropriate policies, which relate to health and safety and fire safety. These policies are reviewed regularly.  The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Records show that there is appropriate testing of fire equipment.  Pupils are well supervised by staff at all times during the school day. There is a planned increase in staff numbers to accommodate the rise in the number of students on roll that the school is proposing in its material change request.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have in place comprehensive risk assessments, including for any activities on or off the school site. These risk assessments provide staff with guidance to reduce identified risks for current pupils and students aged 19 to 25. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school does not have a website. However, leaders ensure that a broad range of information, including the school’s safeguarding policy, is available on request.  The standards in this section are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The premises are suitable for teaching and other educational activities. All parts of the accommodation have appropriate acoustics, lighting and heating.  The school has sufficient space and suitable classrooms to accommodate the proposed increase in pupils and older students.  The school has a medical room, which has a bed and facilities for the safe storage of

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Main inspection findings

first-aid items. The room is near to a toilet.  There are sufficient toilet, changing and shower facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers and age range. The toilets have hot and cold running water of an appropriate temperature.  Pupils have ready access to drinking water at all times. This is located in the communal kitchen area and is clearly labelled.  The school benefits from having its own swimming pool and sensory room.  External lighting is provided to ensure that people can enter and leave the school premises safely. There is plenty of outdoor space for play and recreation.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor and headteacher have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. They have ensured that plans are well developed to ensure that the

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Main inspection findings

school can provide education and accommodation for an increased number of pupils and students aged 19 to 25.  Leaders and all staff are vigilant in safeguarding pupils. Pupils attending the school are especially vulnerable. Adults ensure that pupils are always fully supervised.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved.

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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 change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20 to 22 November 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 19 4 to 25 4 to 25

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 16 20 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 13 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 14 20

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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 13 19

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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 13 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 10

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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

 The Manchester Jewish School for Special Education is housed in a Jewish community centre in north Manchester.  The last standard inspection took place in November 2018, when the school was found to be providing a good standard of education. All of the independent school standards were judged to be met.  The vast majority of pupils have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils have moderate learning difficulties, and some have more complex needs.  The school is registered for pupils aged from four years. However, the youngest pupil currently in school at the time of the inspection was aged eight.  The school is registered for boys and girls, but, at the time of the inspection, all the pupils on roll were boys.  The school does not use alternative provision.  Pupils attend for four and a half days a week. The school day is shorter on a Friday for religious observance. The school also offers after-school facilities each evening and

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Information about this inspection

 The school has applied for a material change to increase its maximum number of pupils on roll from 14 to 20. It has also applied to change its age range from four to 19 to four to 25 years.  The DfE requested that Ofsted conduct a material change inspection to report against paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12 ,14 ,16, 32(1)(c), 34 and part 5 of the independent school standards.  This was the school’s first material change inspection since the previous inspection in November 2018.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, teachers and pupils. He also held a telephone conversation with the proprietor.  The inspector observed pupils and students in lessons. The inspector also carried out a scrutiny of pupils’ and students’ work.  The inspector checked the suitability of the school premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector toured the school’s premises and checked its facilities and outside

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Information about this inspection

areas. He looked at a wide range of documents, including curriculum plans, schemes of work, lesson plans, fire checks and documents relating to safeguarding and health and safety.

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Inspection team

Ahmed Marikar, 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

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

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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