Keser Torah Boys' School

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Gateshead Jewish Primary School 18–19 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 4EA

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(d)(ii)  At the previous inspection, senior leaders said that they would not teach pupils about all the protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010. Therefore, pupils do not learn about different sexual orientations or gender identity.  The school’s action plan noted that any pupils who had questions or needed support around his or someone else’s sexual orientation would be given support from the school and external bodies. However, it confirmed that pupils would not be taught about different sexual orientations or gender identity.  During this inspection, senior leaders confirmed that pupils would not be taught about different sexual orientations or gender identity.  This standard is therefore not met. Paragraphs 3, 3(j)  At the previous inspection, inspectors found this standard not to be met because leaders did not convince them that pupils would be supported and not discriminated against if

p.1

Main inspection findings

they were questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.  The school’s action plan contains information on how pupils would be supported if they had questions or concerns surrounding their own or other’s sexual orientation.  During this inspection, leaders confirmed that they have a system in place for pupils to alert staff to their worries. Pupils have an ‘in confidence’ box, where they can share any concerns they may have in complete confidence. This includes if they are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. This box is being used by pupils. Pupils also told me that they knew they could speak to a teacher or the headteacher if they were worried about anything. Leaders say that they would not discriminate against any pupil who wished to discuss the sexual orientation of themselves or others and would seek appropriate external support, where necessary.  Therefore, this standard is met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(b), 5(b)(vi)  At the previous inspection, inspectors identified pupils’ lack of knowledge of two of the protected characteristics: sexual orientation and gender identity. This was due to the school’s principles of not teaching pupils about these protected characteristics. The action plan confirmed the continued stance of the school not to inform pupils of these protected characteristics. Senior leaders reiterated this stance during this inspection.  Therefore, this standard is not met.  The school’s full standard inspection of March 2016 identified that pupils needed further opportunities to meet and learn with people from different traditions and backgrounds from the local and wider community.  During this inspection, I found evidence to show that leaders had taken steps to address this area for improvement.  School leaders have a carefully planned policy that ensures that pupils learn about

p.2

Main inspection findings

fundamental British values and respecting difference in our society. For example, pupils have recently visited and helped at food banks. They have visited non-Jewish schools, where pupils took part in non-religious assemblies and become pen pals with pupils from this school. Through these interactions and letters, pupils have answered questions about their own faith and learned about the culture and customs of others. Lots of activities take place in school, such as playing games without rules, so that pupils learn first-hand about the rule of law.  However, although pupils know that other people have religions and beliefs that differ from their own and they are accepting of this, they are not knowledgeable about what those beliefs are.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) 7(b), Part 6 32(1)(c)  The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) ensures that the safeguarding policy that is available to parents and carers contains all the required information. It is updated on a regular basis. He is a member of Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership.  The DSL ensures that all staff are knowledgeable about child protection and the steps they need to take should they have any concerns.  There have been no incidents where staff have been disciplined, dismissed or have left prior to the end of an investigation for causing harm to children. The school is aware of its duty to notify the Disclosure and Barring Service should there be any incidents in the future.  These standards were met at the last inspection and continue to be met. Paragraphs 9, 9(c)  The previous inspection identified that the records of behavioural incidents were not

p.2

Main inspection findings

effectively organised.  The school’s action plan of June 2019 gave examples of the new documentation to record incidents.  During this inspection, I was able to see the new system which documents incidents relating to behaviour. The DSL and headteacher have oversight of this system to ensure that it is used effectively and monitored.  This standard is now met. Paragraphs 16, 16(a)  The previous inspection identified that school leaders did not have a consistent approach to writing risk assessments.  The school’s action plan gave an example of a comprehensive risk assessment.  During this inspection, I was able to see further examples of completed risk assessments. The pupils were able to tell me of the events that connected to the risk assessments and that precautions, as explained in the risk assessments, had been taken. Senior leaders now check all risk assessments prior to events taking place.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 20, 21  During this inspection, I checked the single central record, which confirmed that all appropriate checks had been made on staff and school leaders to verify that they are safe to work with children.  These standards were met at the previous inspection and continue to be met.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  These standards were unmet at the previous material change inspection of January 2019. During the inspection, inspectors identified weaknesses relating to risk assessments, the recording of behavioural incidents and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Therefore, leaders and managers were not ensuring that they were fulfilling their responsibilities and demonstrating good skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are consistently met and the well-being of pupils is actively promoted.  School leaders have taken appropriate steps to address some of the weaknesses identified at the full standard inspection in March 2016 and the material change inspection in January 2019.  However, school leaders are not consistently meeting some independent school

p.3

Main inspection findings

standards, as they do not inform pupils about all of the protected characteristics.  Therefore, these standards remain unmet.

p.3

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 includes 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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Independent primary school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Parental contributions

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1–3 March 2016

p.5

Information about this school

 The school is now known as Keser Torah Boys School and accepts up to 250 boys aged between 5 and 11 years. The proprietor is Nathan Hirsch. The Department for Education (DfE) is aware of these changes.  The school was previously the Gateshead Jewish Primary School, which accepted up to 560 girls and boys aged between 5 and 11 years. The girls are now educated on a separate site in the Keser Girls School. The Keser Girls School opened in June 2019.  The school follows the principles of the Orthodox Jewish faith.  The school received a material change inspection in January 2019, when some independent school standards were unmet.  The school’s last full standard independent school inspection took place in March 2016, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

p.5

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.  This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since the material change inspection in January 2019, when unmet standards were identified.  The school produced an action plan in June 2019, as requested by the DfE. The action plan was deemed unacceptable in August 2019.  This inspection took place over one day with one inspector.  The inspection was conducted without prior notice.  I met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, designated safeguarding lead and the proprietor.  I studied a range of documents relating to the unmet standards. I considered a range of documents relating to safeguarding, such as the policy, school noticeboards, the record

p.7

Information about this inspection

of recruitment checks, qualification certificates and staff questionnaires.  I toured the school, where I spoke to staff and pupils, considered displays of events and observed pupil behaviour.  I also had formal meetings with three groups of pupils.

p.7

Inspection team

Jo Sharpe, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

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

p.8

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-

p.8

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

– 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which-

p.8

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

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

p.8

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-

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9].

p.8

standards

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

p.8

standards

 Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils.

p.8

standards

– 9, 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour. – 16, 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. 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 .

p.8

standards

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.

p.10

standards

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/ofsted .

p.10

standards

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.

p.10

standards

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

standards

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

standards

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10