Beis Ruchel D'Satmar London

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Beis Ruchel D`Satmar 117 Stamford Hill, London N16 5RS

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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(2)(d); 2(2)(d)(ii); 2(2)(i); 5; 5(b); 5(b)(v); 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection confirmed that the curriculum promotes universal respect. However, there was insufficient evidence that leaders actively promote mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. It was not possible to talk with pupils about their understanding.  This inspection found that the curriculum continues to promote universal respect. The school’s programme for personal, social, health and economic education includes topics on different religions and British values. The inspector was able to talk with pupils who spoke about different religious traditions and cultures. Visits to the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Courts of Justice and the school’s mock elections teach pupils about democracy and the rule of law. Pupils discussed what they have learned from visits to

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Main inspection findings

museums and places of interest.  At the previous inspection, leaders were clear that teachers made no reference to the protected characteristics of sexual orientation and gender reassignment. This remains the case.  Leaders now promote mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Pupils have a strong understanding of their own culture and, increasingly, of other cultural traditions. However, leaders do not ensure that they pay particular regard to all the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards checked (listed above) are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7; 7(a); 7(b)  The previous inspection found that leaders were unable to provide evidence that all staff had seen and read the latest statutory safeguarding guidance. As a result, inspectors were unable to conclude that arrangements met requirements.  This inspection found that the arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All policies have been updated and include reference to the latest guidance. There are secure systems for raising concerns and referring these to outside agencies. Staff receive regular training. Leaders with safeguarding responsibilities are appropriately qualified.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards checked (listed above) are met. Paragraph 11; 16; 16(a); 16(b); 22; 25  The previous inspection found that policies for health and safety, and risk assessment, had not been implemented effectively. There were concerns about the cleanliness of the

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Main inspection findings

classrooms and discarded furniture left at one side of the playground. Broken children’s play bicycles had not been removed from the early years playground.  This inspection found that the school’s policies and procedures for ensuring the welfare, health and safety of pupils are effective. Leaders have improved the quality of the premises and accommodation considerably. The buildings are clean and the classrooms tidy, including the food technology room. There is sufficient space for the number of pupils on roll. Risk assessments are thorough and appropriate, with action taken to minimise any risks.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards checked in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1); 32(1)(g)  At the previous inspection, leaders provided the range of information requested by inspectors. However, inspectors were unable to talk to pupils. This meant that inspectors were unable to gain sufficient evidence to conclude that all the independent school standards were met.  At this inspection, the inspector was able to speak with pupils. Pupils confirmed that bullying is rare. They know who to talk to if they have a concern, including if they are bullied or feel uncomfortable. Pupils feel safe and are taught about their personal safety outside school. They said they feel safe because there is always an adult looking after them.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards related to the paragraphs listed above 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); 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found that standards associated with equality and safeguarding remained unmet. Leaders had improved arrangements for pupils’ welfare, health and safety. As a result, the proprietor had ensured that paragraph 34(1)(c) was met.  This inspection found that these arrangements are now more systematic. The proprietor continues to ensure that paragraph 34(1)(c) is met. However, those standards linked to promoting the protected characteristics in full remain unmet.  The school continues to operate outside of its registration agreement with the Department for Education. The school is registered to admit 200 pupils aged five to 11. It currently provides education for 810 pupils aged three to 16, of whom 235 are in the early years.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The previous inspection found that paragraph 3.4 of the statutory guidance for early years remained unmet. This was because of the failings identified in part 3 of the independent school standards.  This inspection found that all the independent school standards checked in Part 3 are met. As a result, paragraph 3.4 of the statutory guidance of the early years is now met.

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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 Girls

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School details

Email address m.lunczer@satmarschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 June 2016

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Information about this school

 Beis Ruchel D’Satmar School is a strictly Orthodox Jewish independent day school for girls in the London Borough of Hackney.  The school is registered for 200 girls between the ages of five and 11 years. However, there are 810 girls aged three to 16 years on the school’s roll.  There are 235 children in the unregistered early years provision.  The school’s most recent inspection was its fourth progress monitoring inspection, in March 2019.  At the time of the previous standard inspection in June 2016, the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision for pupils.  The school does not have a website.

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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 fifth progress monitoring inspection was unannounced.  Inspectors focused on the school’s compliance with particular requirements in Parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. In addition, paragraph 3.4 of the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage was considered.  The inspectors held discussions with leaders, including the headteacher, trustees and the deputy headteacher (who is also the designated safeguarding lead). A discussion was also held with a small group of pupils.  Inspectors toured the premises, and visited the playgrounds and the majority of

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Information about this inspection

classrooms.  Inspectors scrutinised a range of documents related to the independent school standards, including those related to safeguarding, and health and safety.  The inspector considered 19 responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View, and four letters.

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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 unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are—

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which—

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– (2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in 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—

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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.

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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 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are − 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which— − 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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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—

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

− 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which—

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

− 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.

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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—

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

− 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

− 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; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

− 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 22 The standards about the premises of and accommodation at the school are those contained in this Part.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that—

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Part 6. Provision of information

− 32(1)(g) any information reasonably requested in connection with an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act which is required for the purposes of the inspection is provided to the body conducting the inspection and that body is given access to the school’s admission and attendance registers.

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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)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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