Ohr Emes

School material change inspection report

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Ohr Emes 98a Clapton Common, London E5 9AL

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have written detailed policies to support their work. These include safeguarding, risk assessments and general health and safety. The policies reflect current government guidance.  The designated safeguarding leaders implement a suitable programme to train staff. They regularly update staff on a range of safeguarding and welfare matters.  As part of the curriculum, staff teach children about risk and how to keep themselves safe. They do this in an age-appropriate way, thinking about the context in which children learn.  The school does not have a website. Nevertheless, hard copies of all polices, including for child protection, are available on request from the school office. Paragraphs 11, 12  Leaders commissioned, for the proposed site, a raft of checks carried out by specialist external contractors. These have included checks on possible asbestos, and gas and

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Main inspection findings

electrical installation safety.  Leaders also arranged for the installation of new fire alarms. An expert carried out a comprehensive fire risk assessment. External assessors also checked the fire-fighting equipment and emergency lighting. They advised leaders on evacuation procedures and assembly points. Leaders have duly implemented the few recommendations made.  Two members of staff have completed fire warden training. The external assessor also trained all staff at the proposed premises. Staff learned how to use the fire-fighting equipment and how to supervise an efficient evacuation of the site.  The manager has undertaken health and safety training. He checks the current premises daily. Leaders keep records of fire evacuation drills and other regular checks. They plan to do the same at the proposed new premises. Paragraph 14  Currently, there are two early years classes. Appropriate provision is in place to

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Main inspection findings

support the welfare of children. For example, teachers and support staff supervise the children throughout the day, from arrival to departure. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy is detailed. Leaders keep it under review. They carry out risk assessments for a range of activities, for instance when taking children on outings. Staff have carried out risk assessments for the proposed premises. They have taken appropriate action to mitigate against identified risks. For example, they made changes to their plans for parental drop off and pick-up, to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19 (coronavirus).  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  Leaders have a sound understanding of safeguarding and recruitment practices. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure that leaders are properly trained.  The single central record is in place. The proprietor and leaders make all the relevant

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Main inspection findings

checks on staff. This includes checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The new proprietor has had the required additional checks carried out by the Department for Education (DfE). The Secretary of State has approved and confirmed his suitability for the role.  The school does not use supply staff and currently there are no volunteers visiting the school.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 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), 29(1)(b)  Leaders have refurbished and redecorated the proposed new premises. The building has sufficient classrooms and other facilities to support pupils’ education. The

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Main inspection findings

premises are clean, tidy and provide a safe environment for learning. The acoustics and lighting are appropriate.  The building has enough toilets and washing facilities with hot and cold running water. The temperature of the water does not pose a scalding hazard. Drinking water is clearly marked.  Leaders have identified a suitable room they will use as a medical facility when needed. It has washing facilities within it and is adjacent to a toilet.  The premises include an outdoor area that is large enough for play, outdoor learning and teaching physical education (PE). Leaders are developing this area to implement the early years outdoor and PE curriculum, and for play.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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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) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards considered in this inspection. They keep up to date with the latest guidance to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.  The policies for safeguarding and health and safety are suitable for the proposed premises. They adequately cater for the number of pupils that leaders wish to educate.  Leaders make sure that children are always appropriately supervised. Leaders are attentive to the needs of children and promote their well-being and safety.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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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 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 likely 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 Orthodox Jewish primary school for boys

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 7 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 44 120 110

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations There are four classrooms at the proposed site. Two are large and can accommodate up to 30 pupils each. The other two are smaller and can reasonably accommodate up to 25 pupils. There are adequate toilets and outside play areas for 110 pupils.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Not applicable

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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 an education, health and care plan 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 an education, health and care plan 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

 Ohr Emes is an independent day school for Orthodox Jewish boys aged three to seven in the London Borough of Hackney. The school was first registered in August 2019 and is yet to have its first standard inspection.  The school is registered to provide a full-time education for 44 pupils. Currently there are 44 on roll, all children aged three to five in the early years.  The new headteacher started in January 2020 and the current proprietor in March 2020.  There are no pupils with an education, health and care plan.  The school does not have a website. All school policies are available to parents from the school office.

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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 is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards and other requirements in its proposed new premises.  The DfE also commissioned a check of the new proposed building’s capacity. This is because the school’s current registration to educate up to 44 pupils is based on the capacity of the current premises.  This was the first inspection of the proposed material change.  The inspector met with the proprietor, a governor, a senior leader, the manager, and the administrator. He also toured the proposed new site with school leaders.  The inspector scrutinised available documents to check whether the school is meeting the relevant independent school standards and associated requirements, related to the proposed move. These included the school’s safeguarding policy, risk assessments

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Information about this inspection

and other health and safety documentation.

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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

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 children for looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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