Yesodey Hatorah School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Yesodey Hatorah School 2-4 Amhurst Park, Hackney, London N16 5AE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided and Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(i), (3(j), 5, 5((a), 5(b), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi).  At the last standard inspection in November 2018, the proprietor had not ensured that the school made pupils aware of all the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. In addition, pupils were not developing an understanding of different faiths, beliefs and cultures in modern Britain. As a result, the school did not meet all the independent school standards.  This inspection finds that the school’s curriculum plans actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty. In addition, the school ensures that pupils develop mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. This is achieved in the secular curriculum through ‘focus weeks’ that teach

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Main inspection findings

pupils about different historical events. For example, pupils were just about to start work on looking at South Africa, and exploring apartheid, migration and democracy. Next term, the planned focus is Ireland, looking at how religion has influenced politics.  Other examples of teaching this curriculum include through weekly current affairs lessons, where pupils discuss issues such as Brexit and elections for party leaders. As a result, this inspection finds that teaching does not undermine the fundamental British values.  Despite these improvements, leaders continue to be clear that they do not make pupils aware of all the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Their view is that the requirement to pay particular regard to the protected characteristics is only to the extent that it is considered age-appropriate. Since leaders and parents do not consider that making pupils aware of gender reassignment and sexual orientation is age-

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Main inspection findings

appropriate, they believe that the school meets the requirements.  It is a matter for the school to decide how it plans its curriculum. This is not in doubt. However, the curriculum should be planned and delivered so that pupils develop age- appropriate knowledge and understanding during their time at school. At present, these requirements are not met.  The previous inspection found that the school operated a policy of segregation by sex. This is because girls were taught separately from boys. This meant that boys and girls had different access to the school’s facilities. This was deemed to be discriminatory and, thus, contrary to the Equality Act 2010.  This inspection finds that the school is working closely with the Department for Education (DfE) to establish separate boys’ and girls’ schools. Leaders confirmed that a decision from the DfE is expected shortly.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met.

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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)  The previous inspections, in May 2017 and November 2018, found that the proprietor and governors had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met. This was in relation to encouraging respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics.  This inspection finds that this continues to be the case. Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards are met consistently.

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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

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 November 2018

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Information about this school

 Yesodey Hatorah School serves the strictly orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill, North London. The school offers primary education to boys and girls, and secondary education to boys. Girls and boys are taught separately in different buildings.  The proprietor is currently working with the DfE to establish a separate girls’ school.  The school was inspected in May 2017, when it did not meet all the independent school standards and was judged as inadequate. It was inspected again in November 2018. Some of the independent school standards were unmet, and the school was judged to require improvement. The school submitted an action plan to identify how it would address unmet standards. Ofsted undertook an evaluation of the action plan in March 2019. Some standards were judged as unlikely to be met.  Pupils learn ‘Kodesh’ (religious education) during the morning, and ‘Chol’ (secular studies) in the afternoon.

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Information about this school

 The school has no website, and policies are made available to parents on request.  A pre-school provision is located on the same site and is inspected separately.  No pupils attend any off-site provision.

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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 to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspection was conducted with no notice.  The inspector spoke with leaders, including the headteacher and members of the governing body.  The inspector also spoke to a group of pupils from Years 3 to 6.  The inspector considered written policies, including documents related to safeguarding, risk assessments, curriculum plans and schemes of work.  The inspector met with senior leaders to discuss how they ensured that the school meets the independent school standards.

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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 un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 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.  3(j) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act.

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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)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.

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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.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2.1 The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school: – 3(i) does not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

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

 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 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. 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 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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

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

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

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

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

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