Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketanah of London

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketanah of London Rear of 1117 Finchley Road, NW11 0QB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(h)  At the monitoring inspection in July 2019, these standards were unmet because the secular subjects were not sufficiently broad and lacked depth. The curriculum plans and their implementation did not give all pupils the opportunity to learn and make progress. In addition, curriculum plans did not exist for all subjects, and technology was not included in any short- or long-term plan.  The action plan submitted by the school to the Department for Education (DfE) detailed that staff would be coached and supported in implementing the curriculum. It also stated that computer studies would be introduced through the purchase and use of laptops across the secular subjects. This would be underpinned by developing schemes of work to embed technology into the curriculum. However, the action plan was not accepted because it lacked detail and clarity about how the actions were going to be

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Main inspection findings

implemented.  Leaders have purchased 14 laptops for use across all the secular subjects. There has been a delay in implementation because leaders were addressing differences of opinion in the community about the use of technology to support learning. Arrangements have been made to apply suitable filters for searching on the internet. The school is now registered with a provider for setting up a digital classroom. The head of secular subjects has also produced digital resources for mathematics and science. However, leaders have not ensured that suitable schemes of work are in place for this aspect of the curriculum. The school aims to teach technology through all secular subjects. In practice, teachers do not have the detailed plans and training they need to teach it effectively.  The quality of the school’s schemes of work is too variable. In mathematics, English and science, the topics to be taught for the year are supported by plans that are suitably

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Main inspection findings

detailed. This is not the case in other secular subjects. In these cases, the broad aims of the subject are clear, with a list of topics to be taught for the year. This includes music, which has been introduced for the first time this year. However, there is no information about how the topics are ordered, including what subject knowledge and skills will be taught and when. As a result, teachers and leaders are not able to explain what it means for a pupil to do well in these subjects.  Overall the requirements of this paragraph are not met. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d)  At the July 2019 monitoring inspection, these standards were unmet because leaders’ actions were not having enough impact on pupils’ learning. Although a new assessment system had been developed, this did not ensure that lessons were sufficiently well planned. Assessment was not used effectively because pupils with different prior

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Main inspection findings

attainment were given the same work to do. This limited their progress.  The action plan submitted by the school to the DfE detailed a range of actions. These included baseline tests to identify gaps in pupils’ learning. They also included regular assessments of pupils’ knowledge and skills and using this information to plan lessons. However, the action plan was not accepted because it lacked detail and clarity about how the actions were going to be implemented.  Leaders have developed baseline assessments in English, mathematics and science. These are assessments pupils take when they join the school. They show that pupils’ literacy skills are often below those expected for pupils of that age. Staff do not take this important information into account when planning for pupils’ learning. For instance, teachers do not provide the support some pupils need to understand a detailed piece of text. Pupils’ English books show that the curriculum for reading and writing is not

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Main inspection findings

implemented well enough.  Leaders are beginning to make better use of assessment information in science and mathematics. Pupils’ books show an improvement in the implementation of the curriculum in these subjects. However, this is not the case in other secular subjects. Teachers do not have a clear understanding of how to use assessment to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and adapt their teaching. The head of secular subjects is aware and has suitable plans in place to address this.  Overall the requirements of this paragraph are not met.  The school does not meet the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a),7(b)  Leaders have not ensured that potential risks on the premises have been identified and addressed. They do not have sufficient protocols in place to ensure the well-being of staff and pupils.  Pupils are supervised well throughout the school day. This includes visits to Hampstead Heath for physical education (PE) and recreation. Pupils said that teachers care for them as individuals. They feel safe in all areas of the school.  The school does not meet the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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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 monitoring inspection found that leaders and governors had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met.  An action plan was submitted by the school to the Department for Education (DfE). Leaders identified suitable actions and arrangements to check and evaluate the success of their actions. Nonetheless, the action plan was deemed to be not acceptable. This is because it did not have enough detail and clarity to suggest that the unmet standards are likely to be now met.  Leaders have not revised their action plan by adding more detail and providing greater clarity. They said that they had not received the outcome of the action plan evaluation from the DfE.  Leaders have made limited progress in tackling the standards that were unmet at the previous inspection. The appointment of an experienced head of secular subjects is a

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Main inspection findings

step in the right direction. There are early signs of impact in relation to the teaching and assessment of mathematics and science. However, there is a lot more work to do, in particular to improve the breadth and depth of the secular subjects. This includes how these subjects are planned, taught and assessed.  Standards that were unmet at the previous monitoring inspection remain unmet. A few additional standards which were met at the time of the previous inspection are now unmet at this inspection.  The school does not meet the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 June 2018

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Information about this school

 The school is an Orthodox Jewish independent day school for boys. The school was established in the 1960s and was previously known as ‘The Mechina’. The school has been based in the London Borough of Barnet since 2010.  The school occupies buildings adjacent to a synagogue in Golders Green, in the London Borough of Barnet. The premises have been adapted for school use. The school uses Hampstead Heath for PE and occasionally for outdoor recreation.  The school is registered for up to 60 boys between the ages of 13 to 16. There are currently 20 pupils on roll.  There have been a number of significant changes in leadership and staffing since May 2019. A new governing body was formed in April 2019. A school improvement officer was appointed to lead the development of the secular curriculum. New teaching staff for the secular curriculum have also been appointed.  The school does not use any alternative 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.  This was the second monitoring inspection since the full standard inspection in June 2018. The inspection took place without notice. The previous progress monitoring inspection in July 2019 found that some independent school standards remained unmet. The school submitted an action plan to the registration authority in August 2019 to show how it planned to meet these standards. The registration authority deemed the action plan to be unsatisfactory in October 2019.  The current inspection focused on Parts 1 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, the head of the secular curriculum

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Information about this inspection

(Chol), the school administrator and a member of the governing body.  The inspector talked informally with pupils during the day. He scrutinised a sample of pupils’ work during a lesson visit.  The inspector explored how well the technological and aesthetic aspects of the curriculum are planned and implemented.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation, relating to safeguarding and the curriculum. This included schemes of work for technology and music.

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Inspection team

Nasim Butt, 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(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons.

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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–

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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;

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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.

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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

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. 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 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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 .

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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