Ohr Emes

School pre-registration inspection report

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Ohr Emes 98a Clapton Common, London E5 9AL

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed appropriate curriculum and assessment policies which consider the needs of boys in the early years and, over time, pupils up to age 7.  The curriculum plans include coverage of all the required areas of learning in the early years, and English, mathematics, science, art, humanities, design and technology, and physical education for pupils of compulsory school age. Kodesh will be taught in the mornings in Yiddish; Chol will be taught in the afternoons in English.  There are planned opportunities for British values, and information about difference, equality and mutual respect, to be taught. These are included across subjects, including Kodesh, as well as through the suitably planned personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme.  The school is likely to be suitably resourced. Proposals indicate that an adequate

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Main inspection findings

number of staff will be appropriately deployed to meet pupils’ needs.  Children’s starting points in all areas of learning will be identified when they join the school. Their progress will then be reviewed and reported on a termly basis, and teachers will use this information to plan accordingly.  Suitable arrangements are in place to recruit specialist teachers, to train staff, and to monitor the quality of education.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils All paragraphs  The school will have an Orthodox Jewish ethos.  The school’s detailed plans for the promotion of pupils’ SMSC development and for PSHE education outline a clear commitment to teach pupils about British values, other religions, cultures and beliefs, and to encourage them to respect other people with protected characteristics. Planned topics, themes and learning activities include ‘caring

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Main inspection findings

for others’, ‘kindness to people and animals’, ‘recognising that each of us is different’, ‘how I can help others feel better’, ‘doing what is right’, ‘respect for the monarchy’, ‘showing love’, and ‘different families’.  The staff code of conduct makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views, and that balanced viewpoints must always be presented in the teaching of all subjects.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s child protection policy is suitable. It reflects the incoming, updated statutory guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2019).  The proposed designated safeguarding leader (the headteacher) and a deputy (the early years leader) have both completed an enhanced level of safeguarding training. They have also both completed safer recruitment training.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders are knowledgeable and aware of their safeguarding duties. The school’s proposed system for recording concerns, referrals and any actions taken is likely to be fit for purpose.  Leaders’ plans indicate that staff will be provided with the knowledge and skills they need to safeguard pupils. There are suitable plans in place for leaders to check how well staff understand safeguarding policies and practice.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to meet requirements. Logs for recording incidents of bullying, racist incidents and incidents of serious misbehaviour, and the sanctions imposed as a result, are suitable.  Arrangements for the implementation of the proposed first-aid policy are likely to meet requirements. There are two trained first aiders, and the recording of accidents and the provision of first aid are likely to be appropriate.  The school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

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Main inspection findings

2005. Appropriate actions identified at a very recent external fire-risk assessment have been completed. Leaders are likely to ensure that all the required checks on electrical equipment, fire-safety equipment, emergency lighting and the alarm system are completed and accurately recorded, in line with the legislation.  An appropriate number of staff is likely to be employed and deployed. Leaders are clear about the staffing requirements in the early years.  Leaders’ plans to maintain compliant admission and attendance registers are likely to meet requirements.  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to meet the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. Appropriate, detailed risk assessments are in place for the premises, and are likely to be in place for trips once the school is operating.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to

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Main inspection findings

be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required vetting checks for all those already involved in this school have been recorded accurately on a suitable single central record, in line with statutory requirements.  Leaders have a secure understanding of safer recruitment. They understand the importance of completing all the required checks on adults before they work with pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The three-floor premises include two classrooms, which can each accommodate up to 22 pupils.  The premises are secure, well maintained and clean. They are likely to provide a safe learning environment.  There are suitable, separate toilet and washing facilities for pupils and staff.  The medical room is suitably located on the top floor. It is above the pupils’ toilets. It

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Main inspection findings

includes a washing facility, suitable medical supplies and a bed.  Drinking water supplies are suitably marked as such in classrooms.  The acoustic features, sound insulation, regulated hot water supplies and internal and external lighting are all suitable.  There is a significant outdoor space for physical education, recreation and early years learning.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All the required policies and information, including those relating to safeguarding, are appropriate and currently available in hard copy, including in the school’s detailed prospectus. Leaders do not plan to host a website.  The school’s intended report template for parents is likely to be suitable because it identifies pupils’ progress and attainment in all the required areas of learning. It is planned to provide this to parents at two points during the academic year.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The school’s proposed complaints policy and complaints log are likely to meet all the requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  In planning to open this independent school, the proprietor and headteacher have been ably supported by an organised team of leaders, including early years and curriculum specialists. Together, they demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards.  All the independent school standards are likely to be met and pupils’ well-being is likely to be assured if Ohr Emes is registered as an independent school. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan is likely to meet the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  Leaders have ensured that the curriculum and plans for teaching and assessment, which are appropriately planned around the early learning goals and all the required areas of learning, are likely to meet the learning and development requirements.  Leaders have also made suitable arrangements which are likely to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements, as outlined in part 3.

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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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Orthodox Jewish primary school for boys

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils Not applicable 3 to 7 3 to 7 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 100 44

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proposal

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The current premises cannot accommodate 100 pupils. The two available classrooms can each accommodate a maximum of 22 pupils.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Up to 44

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 5

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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 Not applicable Up to 2

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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 Not applicable Up to 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 6

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Information about this proposed school

 Leaders wish to register Ohr Emes as an independent day school for Orthodox Jewish boys aged 3 to 7 in the London Borough of Hackney.  The school is not currently operating and has never done so.  The school intends to operate with children in the early years only during its first year.  The school will be led by the headteacher. The proprietor will be supported by a governing body.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with one week’s notice because its timing coincided with the summer holidays.  The inspector was accompanied throughout the inspection by the proprietor, the headteacher, a leader with responsibility for compliance, and a governor. He met with curriculum and early years leaders, and a health and safety consultant.  The inspector considered a wide range of evidence to check the likelihood of the school meeting all the independent school standards. For example, he considered the school’s proposed curriculum, toured the premises, and reviewed key documents and

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Information about this inspection

policies, including those related to safeguarding and health and safety.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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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