Peninim

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Peninim 37 Elmcroft Crescent, Barnet, London NW11 9TB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy did not follow the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  This inspection found that leaders do not have an understanding of the statutory guidance to follow for children missing in education. The school does not inform the local authority if a new pupil is added to its register. Leaders try to keep in touch with families of pupils who do not attend school for long periods. However, they do not liaise with the local authority to share this information, particularly when taking a pupil off roll. This means leaders do not adhere to their own safeguarding procedures.  Leaders do not have a detailed understanding of the different safeguarding roles and responsibilities within the local authority. This hinders leaders’ ability to seek advice and have access to specialist provision to support families should it be required.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s e-safety curriculum is not effective in helping pupils learn about how to stay safe using a range of internet-enabled devices. Pupils are taught to use these devices only when an adult is present. However, pupils do not have an age-appropriate understanding of the range of potential dangers when accessing these at home.  Leaders have made many improvements to the school’s safeguarding procedures since the previous inspection. For example, the school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance. Leaders are vigilant and follow up on any safeguarding concerns well. Leaders benefit from regular external support to improve the school’s safeguarding procedures.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training. They are knowledgeable about their responsibilities, including how to manage concerns using external agencies should they occur. Pupils feel safe in school and trust adults to deal with any concerns that they

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Main inspection findings

might have. They are taught about ‘stranger danger’ and road safety.  These independent school standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, it was judged that the school’s health and safety policies and procedures at the Golders Green Road premises were not adequate. There were no external fire risk assessments and a lack of rigour in daily safety checks.  This inspection found that the Golders Green Road premises are no longer in use. The school’s health and safety policies are detailed. Leaders have a strong understanding of their own procedures. They seek help from external auditors and use this to improve their own practice.  Leaders have undertaken an external fire risk assessment and followed up on any actions identified. Leaders’ oversight of fire safety procedures is strong. Leaders have a thorough understanding of the school’s risk assessments, including for COVID-19

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Main inspection findings

(coronavirus) and outdoor play areas.  These independent school standards are now met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  At the time of the previous inspection, the school’s single central register (SCR) of checks on staff, agency staff, governors and proprietors was not compliant. Leaders did not demonstrate a strong enough understanding of the range of checks to undertake.  This inspection found that the SCR was up to date, with all the appropriate checks for staff in place. At the start of the day, some minor omissions were found in the SCR. Leaders ensured that these were addressed by the end of the inspection.  These independent school standards are now met Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 28(1), 28(1)(b) and 28(1)(d)  At the time of the previous inspection, the school used two sites. The Golders Green Road site was not suitable for pupils, in particular due to outdoor trip hazards and no hot water supply. The medical room did not have a separate washing facility.  All pupils are now taught at the Elmcroft Crescent site. These premises are well-lit, spacious and clean. The site was recently refurbished to cater for pupils from Years 1 to 6 who were previously at the other site.  The current site has a newly refurbished medical room that is suitable to cater for pupils’ needs. Hot water supplies are in working order and regulated.  These independent school standards are now met Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c) and 34(1)(d)  During the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that the school met all the

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Main inspection findings

independent school standards. Leaders’ monitoring and evaluation of the school’s health and safety procedures were weak.  The school does not meet all the independent school standards. This is because leaders have a weak understanding of the statutory safeguarding procedures to follow when admitting a new pupil to the school. Furthermore, leaders do not inform the local authority when they take a pupil off the school’s roll. During the inspection, leaders made contact with the local authority’s attendance team to enable them to make referrals in the future. Leaders have not ensured that there is an effective online safety curriculum in place to protect pupils from potential dangers they may encounter.  The proprietor has focused on refurbishing the school site to a high standard. The school’s health and safety procedures and risk assessments are detailed and thoroughly understood. Leaders have benefited from external support, including in developing their

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding and safety checks.  These independent school standards remain unmet.

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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. 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 6–8 November 2018

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Information about this school

 Peninim is an independent primary day school in the London Borough of Barnet. It educates boys and girls in the pre-nursery, and girls only from age three and above.  The pupils are of Jewish Orthodox faith.  The school’s most recent inspection was a material change inspection in December 2019 where many independent school standards were judged to be unmet. The school’s previous full standard inspection was in November 2018, when its overall effectiveness was judged to require improvement and all the independent school standards were deemed to be met.  Since the previous inspection, the school has vacated the premises at 285 Golders Green Road, London NW11 9JE. All pupils are now based at 37 Elmcroft Crescent, London NW11 9TB.  The school’s current registered capacity is 50 pupils. At the time of this inspection, 109 pupils were on roll.  Since the previous inspection, the school has appointed a new headteacher.

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Information about this school

 The school uses no alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This unannounced progress monitoring inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of this 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, and second consecutive inspection in which not all independent school standards are judged to be met.  This inspection focused on the school’s compliance with particular requirements within Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  I held discussions with leaders, including the proprietor, the headteacher and senior leaders responsible for safeguarding and health and safety. I also met with members of staff. I carried out a telephone conversation with the local authority’s children missing in

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Information about this inspection

education officer. I met with pupils to gather their views about safety.  I toured the premises and visited all classrooms. I scrutinised a range of documentation related to the independent school standards, including risk assessments, the school’s safeguarding policy and health and safety policies.  There were no responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View.

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Inspection team

Noeman Anwar, 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 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 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; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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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

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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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 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(a)(i) is not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that individual is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 of that Act; and

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the Chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(b)(i) where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(b)(ii) checks confirming MB’s identity and MB’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the Chair of the school considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(iv) checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications; – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 21(6) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member ("MB") of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users. 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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