Lubavitch Senior Boys School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Lubavitch Senior Boys School 1117 Finchley Road, London NW11 0QB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f) and 3(g)  At the previous standard inspection in January 2022, the curriculum was too narrow. Pupils did not experience creative and aesthetic or technological education. Leaders did not promote reading. Pupils lacked opportunities to read regularly in school and develop a love of reading. Leaders and teachers did not have appropriate teaching and subject expertise. Teaching did not reflect the content of the school’s curriculum planning. Leaders did not provide teaching staff with professional training.  This inspection found there to have been no improvement to the quality of education. Pupils continue to receive no creative or technological education. Leaders and teachers continue to lack subject and teaching expertise. Proprietors and leaders have not

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Main inspection findings

organised any training to improve quality.  Pupils continue to have limited access to suitable fiction and non-fiction books to read. The school’s library is in a locked cupboard at the back of a classroom. When it is unlocked at breaktimes, pupils can, on paying a deposit, borrow a book to read at home. This requirement to pay a financial guarantee discourages some pupils from borrowing books.  Leaders’ inaction continues to significantly limit pupils’ academic and cultural development. Paragraphs 2(2)(e)–2(2)(e)(iii)  The previous inspection found leaders had not developed a careers programme for pupils. Pupils did not have access to impartial information, advice and guidance.  This inspection found nothing to have changed since January 2022. Leaders have not developed a careers programme for pupils. Pupils do not have any access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g) and 2A(2)

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Main inspection findings

 The previous inspection reported that leaders had not developed and delivered a relationships and sex education programme.  This inspection found leaders to have made no progress in this area. Inspectors were presented with no evidence of a policy, parental consultation or curriculum plans.  Leaders’ inaction continues to prevent pupils from gaining the information they need to help them to develop relationships of all kinds, including knowing what a healthy relationship looks like, what makes a good friend, and what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships.  All the independent school standards checked in this part remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b)(v) and 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection found pupils’ knowledge of other cultures and faiths to be limited. Leaders did not actively promote respect for all groups of people, paying particular regard to the full range of protected characteristics.  This inspection found pupils to be no better prepared for life in modern Britain than they were in January 2022. This is because leaders have taken no action to ensure that these aspects of the curriculum are thought through and implemented.  All the standards checked in this part remain not met. In addition, 5(a) is also judged not met, because leaders are not actively promoting mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(b), 14 and 16–16(b)  Inspectors’ routine checks on safeguarding during this inspection identified serious concerns. Pupils are at risk.  There are currently no full-time leaders with an appropriate level of safeguarding training. The acting headteacher, who is by default fulfilling the role of designated safeguarding leader, has had no safeguarding training. Leaders lack some of the most basic knowledge required to keep pupils safe, such as who to refer safeguarding concerns to.  The school’s safeguarding policy has not been updated since 2021. Leaders shared the latest statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2022) with staff in early November 2022. No staff have had training in light of this statutory guidance.  Arrangements for risk assessment and supervision are weak. Pupils, all aged 11 to 13, are allowed to go and buy lunch in the local shops without adult supervision. As well as a

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Main inspection findings

contradiction of the school’s own written guidance shared with parents and carers, this puts pupils at risk. Pupils are also able to access potentially dangerous areas of the school, such as the roof, and did so during the inspection. The written risk assessment for the premises lacks rigour and relevance. Paragraph 12  Inspectors found checks on fire safety equipment, including extinguishers and fire blankets, to be overdue. Checks carried out by external professionals on the emergency lighting on 5 November 2021 confirmed that 22 units were faulty. These do not appear to have been fixed. The next annual check is overdue. Paragraph 13  There is only one member of staff with in-date first-aid training. This is insufficient because in their absence there is nobody else qualified to care for sick and injured pupils. Paragraph 15  The school’s admission policy is not compliant. There are inaccuracies, including missing

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Main inspection findings

pupils. Admission dates for pupils are incorrect by an entire year. The register does not include pupils’ previous schools’ addresses. Sometimes, incorrect attendance codes are used in the attendance registers.  Some standards in this part are now not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1), 21(3)–21(3)(b)  Inspectors’ routine checks on safeguarding found the record of pre-employment checks on adults to be not compliant. Some staff, including the acting headteacher, are not listed on the record.  The safer recruitment process is extremely weak. Statutory guidance for dealing with applications, interviews and seeking of references for prospective employees is not followed.  Some staff are working with pupils without having gone through either a recruitment process, or completing safeguarding training.  The recording of some checks on the record of pre-employment checks is unclear, including those relating to working in the United Kingdom. Barred-list checks are missing.  Leaders’ knowledge and understanding of the requirements in this part are weak.  Some standards in this part are now not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1)–24(1)(b)  Inspectors’ routine checks on the premises found there to no longer be a suitable medical room facility. Leaders were unclear about which room is allocated for the care of sick and injured pupils.  This standard is now not met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is not available in hard copy on request as required in view of the fact that the school does not have a website. Paragraphs 32(1)(j) and 32(4)(b)  Leaders have not updated the school’s written guidance, including the admissions policy and prospectus, to inform prospective parents that the school is subject to a restriction order.  Some standards in this part are now not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The previous inspection reported that the proprietors had not appointed the senior leaders needed to secure improvements to the school. The inspection found that there was insufficient capacity within the leadership team to secure the necessary improvement to the quality of education. The proprietors lacked processes to help leaders to evaluate and plan effectively. Some independent school standards were not met.  The quality and capacity of leadership have deteriorated further since the previous inspection. Inspectors identified serious and wide-ranging concerns. The proprietors have not made any appointments to the senior leadership team. Temporary leaders recruited from within the community do not have relevant qualifications or training. There is a desperate lack of leadership capacity. Weaknesses in the quality of education

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Main inspection findings

remain. Progress in improving the school is non-existent. The proprietors have not put together an improvement plan. Many more independent school standards are not met than was the case in January 2022.  This inspection also considered the school’s compliance with the restriction order imposed by the Department for Education. The inspection found that the proprietors have breached the restriction order. They enrolled a cohort of new pupils in Year 7 in September 2022. They also continue to admit prospective pupils for trial placements, with a view to them joining the school in the near future.  34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b) remain not met. In addition, 34(1)(c) is now also not met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders do not have an accessibility plan for the school.  This requirement is not met.

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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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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

Type of school Day school for boys of Orthodox Jewish faith

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 January 2022

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Information about this school

 Lubavitch Senior Boys School is an independent Orthodox Jewish secondary day school in the London Borough of Barnet. The school occupies the first floor of premises shared with Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketanah of London.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in January 2022, when the school was judged to be inadequate for the second consecutive time. A number of independent school standards were again judged to be unmet.  The Secretary of State for Education imposed a restriction on the school on 13 October 2021. The restriction is still in force. The restriction means that the proprietor must not admit any new pupils to the school from 11 March 2022.  There was evidence that the proprietor is not complying with the restriction imposed by the Secretary of State for Education on 11 March 2022. This is because there was evidence that pupils had been admitted after 5 September 2022. The Secretary of State

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Information about this school

has powers to take regulatory action against schools found to be in breach of a restriction on their registration.  The substantive headteacher is on a period of long-term absence.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the 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 first progress monitoring inspection since the school’s previous graded inspection in January 2022. It was conducted without notice.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complied with particular requirements within Parts 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. Inspectors were also asked to check the proprietors’ compliance with the restriction order.  Inspection activities included meetings with the acting headteacher and a tour of the premises.  Inspectors met with all the pupils in attendance. In line with leaders’ request, inspectors

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Information about this inspection

did not ask pupils anything about sex education, different types of relationships, and other religions, faiths and cultures.  Inspectors reviewed a range of evidence to check compliance with the independent school standards.  There were no recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Ofsted Parent View.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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 unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which– – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that– – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor– – 2A(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools, – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor– – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which– – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.

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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– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be 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– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration)

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

(England) Regulations 2006.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 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 – 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

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 18(2)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act; – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends 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; – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person– – 18(2)(c)(i) the person’s identity; – 18(2)(c)(ii) the person’s medical fitness; – 18(2)(c)(iii) the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and

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

– 18(2)(c)(iv) where appropriate, the person’s qualifications; – 18(2)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that person’s appointment; – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub-paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows

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

such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  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– – 21(3)(a)(i) S’s identity was checked; – 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; – 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; – 21(3)(a)(iv) checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications; – 21(3)(a)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S;

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

– 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d); – 21(3)(a)(vii) a check of S’s right to work in the United Kingdom was made; and – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e), – 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 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– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 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 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; – 32(1)(j) particulars of any action specified in sub-paragraph (4) are published and maintained on the school’s website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents.  32(4) The action specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(4)(b) any decision of the Secretary of State to impose a relevant restriction on the proprietor under section 116 of the 2008 Act.

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

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 The school’s accessibility plan was unavailable for review. 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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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