Pardes House Grammar School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Pardes House Grammar School Hendon Lane, Finchley, London N3 1SA

p.1

The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  The culture of safeguarding at Pardes House Grammar School remains strong. Pupils told the inspector that they feel safe at school and are taught effectively about keeping themselves safe beyond the school gates. They said the school is a caring and supportive community, and that there are many staff members they trust to go to for help.  Designated safeguarding leaders have strong working knowledge of keeping their pupils safe. They ensure that the school’s safeguarding policy and practices pay regard to the latest statutory guidance.  Leaders undertake appropriate suitability recruitment checks, induct and train staff thoroughly, and refer and record concerns appropriately. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14 and 16  The school’s suitable policies for health and safety and risk assessment are implemented well. Leaders assess the risks presented by the new premises and take

p.1

Main inspection findings

appropriate action to minimise them. The thorough premises risk assessment is supported by appropriate educational activities and visits risk assessments.  Fire safety infrastructure has been recently checked, including emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and the alarm system. Leaders intend to complete, as soon as possible, the remaining non-urgent actions identified in the school’s August 2021 external fire risk assessment. The premises remain compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Supervision of up to 300 pupils is likely to be suitable because leaders have planned to maintain the school’s appropriate adult-to-pupil ratio.  The independent school standards in this part are met and likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The school’s single central record of vetting checks records accurately the required

p.1

Main inspection findings

checks on the proprietor, governors and staff.  The independent school standards in this part are met and likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school is based in a Grade 1 listed building which requires significant investment to provide pupils with the attractive, comfortable surroundings they deserve. Leaders are committed to this endeavour and are fundraising to make this a reality. Nevertheless, while they are in urgent need of refurbishment, the premises are safe, clean and well maintained.  Capacity has increased as a result of relocating and clearing areas within the existing building, such as dining hall and kitchen spaces, to accommodate additional pupils. The premises’ acoustics, lighting, toilet, washing and medical room facilities are all compliant with the requirements. The washing facilities include safely regulated hot water supplies, and drinking water is suitably labelled. There is a large outdoor space for recreation and physical education. A maximum capacity of 300 pupils is likely to be

p.2

Main inspection findings

suitable.  The independent school standards in this part are met and likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  This requirement is met because, in the absence of a website, a safeguarding policy is readily available in hard copy from the school’s office.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The school’s leaders have secure knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards, and have planned effectively to cater for up to 300 pupils. Leaders are committed to refurbishing the school and to realising their plans to further increase the number and quality of specialist classrooms.  The independent school standards in this part are met and likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Type of school Secondary school for Jewish Orthodox boys

p.4

School details

Email address office@pardesgrammar.co.uk

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 February 2018

p.4

recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 16 No change Not applicable

p.4

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 271 300 300

p.4

School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 271 Up to 300

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of part-time pupils None No change

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 48 Up to 80

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 2 Up to 5

p.5

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 2 Up to 5

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 43 47

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None 2

p.5

Information about this school

 Pardes House Grammar School is an independent secondary day school in Finchley, London. It provides religious and secular education for Jewish Orthodox boys.  In November 2019, the registration authority wrote to the school to confirm an increase in capacity from 235 to 250. However, this has not been updated on Getting Information About Schools (GIAS). Nevertheless, the school is in breach of its registration agreement because there are currently 271 pupils on roll.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in February 2018.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This was the first material change inspection commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider Pardes House Grammar School’s application to make one material change to its registration agreement. The original requested change was to increase the maximum number of pupils to 280, having already increased the number on roll to 271 pupils. Leaders requested, at the start of the inspection, that the inspection consider an increase to 300.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are met and likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector met with a group of pupils and had various meetings, including with the proprietor, headteacher, designated safeguarding leader and a governor.  The inspector toured the premises and reviewed documentation, including concerning

p.7

Information about this inspection

safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.  There were no recent responses on Ofsted Parent View to consider.

p.7

Inspection team

James Waite, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection team

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.

p.8

Inspection team

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 .

p.8

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 for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8