Talmud Torah Chaim Meirim Wiznitz School

School material change inspection report

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Talmud Torah Chaim Meirim Wiznitz School 26 Lampard Grove, London N16 6XB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Leaders’ work to keep pupils as safe as possible remains effective. Pupils said that they felt safe in their school and have trusted adults they can go to for support. Leaders continue to have a clear understanding of statutory requirements. The school’s safeguarding policy reflects these requirements. Staff are trained routinely and know how to identify and raise concerns. Leaders follow up on these concerns appropriately.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are suitable and likely to continue to be implemented well if the number of pupils on roll increases. Two externally commissioned risk assessments have been recently completed, one for fire safety, and the other for the premises more generally. Leaders have taken action to resolve the most urgent actions that were identified. Additional actions, such as the replacement of some doors and installation of limiters on windows, are under way. Leaders complete and keep a record all the required fire safety checks in line with legal requirements.  Arrangements to increase staffing levels in line with the proposed increase in pupil numbers are likely to be suitable. The maximum class size is planned to remain at 25 pupils.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The school’s single central record (SCR) of recruitment checks on adults is not as organised as it could be. Some minor omissions were identified and resolved during the inspection. Leaders are in the process of transferring the information to a more suitable SCR template. However, all the required checks are being carried out in line with national guidance. The SCR is, therefore, compliant with all the requirements.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s increased capacity includes an upper floor of two large refurbished classrooms, and four further smaller classrooms in other areas of the premises. They are likely to be safe, clean and well maintained.  The toilet, washing, shower, outdoor and medical room facilities are all likely to remain appropriate for up to 400 pupils. Drinking water fountains are located throughout the school. Hot water is safely regulated. Arrangements for lighting and acoustics are suitable throughout the premises.  The requirements in this part continue to be met throughout the premises, and are likely to be met in the additional classrooms.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  In the absence of a website, the school’s safeguarding policy is readily available in hard copy from the school’s office.  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 Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  Leaders have suitably prepared for this material change by refurbishing classrooms to accommodate up to 400 pupils. Leaders demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards considered in this inspection.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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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 Ultra-Orthodox Jewish day school for boys

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School details

Website The school does not have a website

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12 to 14 November 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 13 5 to 13 5 to 13

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 250 400 400

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations The school does not include provision for children in the early years. The on-site nursery at the same address is a separately registered early years provider.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 250 400

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 57 Up to 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 Up to 20

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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 12 Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 14 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 64 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 12 15

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Information about this school

 Talmud Torah Chaim Meirim Wiznitz School is an independent day school for boys of orthodox Jewish faith.  The school is currently registered for up to 237 pupils. The school, therefore, continues to be in breach of its registration agreement by having 250 pupils on roll.  The school does not include provision for children in the early years. A separately registered nursery, CMA Nursery (EY314096), operates at the same address. The school’s registered age range is, therefore, incorrect. It should be for pupils aged five to 13.  Leaders have decided to temporarily stop catering for secondary-age pupils. All pupils on the school’s roll are currently aged five to 11.  The school’s previous inspection was a standard inspection in November 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the second material change inspection commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s application to make one material change to its registration agreement. The original requested change, considered as part of the school’s standard inspection in November 2019, was to increase the maximum number of pupils to 450. Leaders requested that this inspection consider an increase to 400 rather than 450.  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 likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector met with a group of pupils. He also had various meetings, including with the deputy headteacher, the designated safeguarding leader and the chair of the proprietor body. The headteacher was absent during the inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector toured the premises and reviewed documentation, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. He also checked the school’s SCR.  There were no recent responses on Ofsted Parent View, Ofsted’s online survey, to consider.

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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 .

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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.

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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 .

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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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