Shiras Devorah High School

School material change inspection report

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Shiras Devorah High School 1011 Finchley Road, NW11 7HB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 11,12  Leaders have updated their health and safety policy, taking into account the move to new premises.  Leaders have carried out a range of risk assessments for the new premises. They have implemented practices to support the health and safety of pupils and staff.  Leaders updated their fire risk policy so that it is relevant to the new premises. The building’s landlord commissioned external specialists to undertake a fire risk assessment. Other checks were made to emergency lighting, firefighting equipment and the fire alarm system. School leaders and the landlord have acted on the recommendations made by the external specialists. The building has adequate fire signage, emergency lighting, and an appropriate assembly point. There are also fire- detection alarm systems and firefighting equipment.  Leaders have trained staff and pupils on fire and other health and safety procedures.

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Main inspection findings

They carry out daily and weekly checks for health and safety matters, including those related to fire safety. Leaders keep a record of checks and drills. They identify any remedial actions which are needed to improve pupil, staff and visitor safety further. Paragraph 16  The school’s risk assessment policies are up to date. Leaders keep risk assessments under review. They act swiftly in response to emerging dangers. For instance, they carried out a risk assessment and planned actions to minimise the hazards posed by COVID-19 (coronavirus).  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs: 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The new site is suitable. The acoustics, state of repair, cleanliness and lighting are

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Main inspection findings

appropriate. Toilets that lock from the inside are provided for the sole use of pupils. These areas have hot and cold running water. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding hazard.  A suitable medical room is provided, close to a toilet. There are sufficient classrooms and other teaching areas. The premises have a shower. Drinking water is available from large, bottled water dispensers.  The school has a small outdoor area and leaders have recently purchased a tennis court near to the school. These gives pupils enough space for leisure and for physical exercise lessons.  The school has specialist rooms for computing and sewing lessons. They are equipping another for teaching food and nutrition. Leaders are exploring if it is possible to establish a science laboratory. Alternatively, they plan to rent one at a nearby school.  The site is fully accessible. The downstairs portacabin has a ramp and the main

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Main inspection findings

building has a lift.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Towards the end of August, the proprietor had to find new premises unexpectedly and quickly. The landlords of the previous premises would not allow the school to use all rented facilities. This was owing to concerns related to COVID-19. Leaders informed the Department for Education (DfE) of the situation.  Leaders acted promptly. They updated their policies and carried out risk assessments for the new building. They have ensured that all the standards considered in this inspection are met. This inspection did not consider how leaders have addressed the unmet standards at the time of the previous standard inspection in February 2019.  Leaders commissioned an external specialist planning company to check the building and draw floor plans. The company calculated the number of pupils each teaching

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Main inspection findings

space could hold safely and comfortably. The five toilets provided are adequate for the proposed number of pupils.  Safeguarding policies and training are up to date. These take account of the latest statutory guidance. Leaders know their community well. Leaders train and encourage staff to be vigilant and report any concerns. A strong culture of support for pupils’ safety, welfare, and well-being is promoted.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Jewish day school for girls

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School details

Co-Headteachers Miriam Reich and Sara Craimer

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12–14 February 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 not applicable not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 46 98 98

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils not applicable not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 46 98

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils not applicable not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities not applicable not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs not applicable not applicable

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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 not applicable not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff not applicable not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff not applicable not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision not applicable not applicable

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Information about this school

 Shiras Devorah High School is an independent day school for girls of Jewish faith, aged from 11 to 18 years. It serves the Jewish Orthodox community of north-west London in the Borough of Barnet. From September 2020, the school moved from premises situated within Woodside Park Synagogue to its current location.  The previous school site was registered to provide a full-time education for up to 120 pupils aged 11 to 18.  Most pupils who attend the school have transferred from the proprietor’s primary school for girls, Beis Soroh Schneirer. The proprietor is also the chair of the governing body.  There are no pupils with an education, health and care plan.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision for pupils.  The school does not have a website. All school policies are available to parents at the school office.  The school’s previous standard inspection was in February 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE, the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school meets the independent school standards and other requirements in its new premises. The DfE also commissioned a check of the new building’s capacity. This is because the school’s current registration, to educate up to 120 pupils, is based on the capacity of the previous premises.  The school moved into its new premises, 1011 Finchley Road, NW11 7HB, in September 2020, six weeks before this inspection. Therefore, this material change has already been implemented. This was the first inspection of this material change.  The inspector met with the proprietor and the two co-headteachers and toured the new site.  The inspector scrutinised available documents to check whether the school is meeting the independent school standards and their requirements, related to the move. These

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Information about this inspection

included the school’s safeguarding policy and other policies about health and safety. He also spoke on the telephone with a representative of the building’s landlord about health and safety checks and remedial action undertaken.

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Inspection team

David Radomsky, 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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