Beis Ruchel Girls School

School material change inspection report

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Beis Ruchel Girls School 11 Norton Street, Salford M7 4AJ

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has established a suitable safeguarding policy that has regard to the latest statutory guidance. Leaders provide a copy of the policy to parents and carers on request. The policy is likely to remain suitable if the request for an increase of pupil numbers is granted.  Leaders provide staff with regular safeguarding training. This helps staff to identify any concerns about pupils’ welfare or well-being, including any signs of abuse or neglect. Leaders ensure that staff know how to report concerns quickly and accurately. These procedures are likely to ensure that staff continue to identify, help with and manage any concerns about pupils’ welfare if the material change is approved.  During the inspection, pupils told the inspector that they felt safe in school. They reported that their teachers care for their well-being and welfare. For example, pupils

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Main inspection findings

are encouraged to report any concerns using a communication box. Leaders act quickly and promptly to address any issues that are reported. This is likely to remain suitable if the material change is granted. Paragraph 11  Leaders have established an appropriate health and safety policy. The policy clearly describes the processes to follow and actions to take to mitigate risks. For example, the policy explains how to store and use substances hazardous to health safely, and how to check the site for possible risks. This policy will likely remain appropriate if the material change is implemented.  Leaders regularly complete checks to ensure that pupils and staff are protected from risks. For example, they conduct checks on the safety of electrical equipment and test for legionella. These checks are likely to remain suitable if the request for an increase of pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 12  Leaders ensure that fire escapes are clearly identified and free from obstructions.

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Main inspection findings

They regularly test the fire alarm and check that firefighting equipment is well maintained. The proprietor ensures that checks on equipment are conducted by suitably qualified professionals. These checks are likely to ensure that this standard will remain met if the material change is approved.  Leaders’ records show that they understand, and are compliant with, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They regularly review the fire safety procedures at the school. These arrangements are likely to remain met if the proposed material change is granted. Paragraph 14  Leaders have employed additional staff to enable them to supervise the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Leaders would employ more staff should this be required. Leaders deploy staff effectively. This ensures the adequate supervision of current pupils. The supervision of pupils is likely to be appropriate if the increase in pupil

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Main inspection findings

numbers is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have written and implemented a suitable risk assessment policy. They have produced suitable risk assessments for a range of activities, such as for when pupils travel off site for educational visits. The risk assessment policy is likely to remain appropriate should the material change be granted.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is granted. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3)  Leaders ensure that they complete the required employment checks on new staff before they start working at the school. These checks are likely to continue to ensure that staff are suitable to work with pupils at the school if the material change is approved.  Leaders ensure that the required pre-employment checks are suitably recorded on the

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Main inspection findings

single central record. This includes identity checks and the right to work in the United Kingdom. The same processes would apply to any staff employed in the future. It is likely that these standards would remain met if the increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraphs 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  Leaders rarely use supply staff. However, leaders would ensure that the required checks were in place before these staff worked at the school. This is likely to remain the same if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(7)(b)  Leaders have ensured that all required staff have a valid check under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. These check leaders’ suitability to manage a school. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

 The current premises and accommodation are spacious and well maintained. Leaders have ensured that classrooms are furnished appropriately to aid learning. The premises adequately support the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that suitable toilet facilities are provided to pupils. Hot and cold water are available for handwashing. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. To ensure privacy, cubicles can be locked from the inside. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved.  Leaders provide staff and visitors with separate toilets. Disabled toilets are also provided for pupils, staff and visitors. All toilets have appropriate sink and hand-drying facilities. These toilets are likely to remain appropriate if the material change is approved.  Leaders have ensured that suitable showering facilities are available for pupils. These

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Main inspection findings

would likely remain appropriate if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  Leaders have a well-maintained medical room available for pupils’ use. It has a bed, blankets and a dedicated toilet and sink with hot and cold water. The medical room is close to suitable toilets. The medical room is likely to remain appropriate if the material change is approved. Paragraph 25  Leaders have ensured that the school premises are well maintained. Site staff regularly check the grounds for any issues. Leaders ensure that they quickly remedy any identified issues. This is likely to continue if the material change is approved. Paragraph 26  Leaders provide pupils with a suitable learning environment with appropriate acoustic conditions. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Leaders make sure that classrooms have suitable lighting. Leaders provide appropriate

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Main inspection findings

external lighting so that visitors, staff and pupils can enter and exit the building safely. This is likely to remain the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Leaders label sources of drinking water clearly. Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the school day. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have access to sufficient outside space for play and physical education (PE). A hall provides further accommodation for play, performances and PE. These spaces would likely be suitable if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has established an education committee that works closely with school leaders. This committee holds leaders to account. Leaders have planned carefully for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. They acknowledge the fact that the growth of the school will take some time and they are committed to supporting this growth in a measured way.  The proprietor has ensured that all standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have established an appropriate accessibility plan. This ensures that Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 is likely to be met if 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

Date of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 November 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 201 240 240

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 201 240

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 17 As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 As required

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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 None As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff None As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 56 As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None None

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Information about this school

 The school is based at 11 Norton Street, Salford M7 4AJ.  The proprietor has a second, separately registered, school that operates from the same site. The school is a primary and nursery school, also called Beis Ruchel Girls School. Access to this school is at 87 Devonshire Street, Salford, Manchester M7 4BE.  The school is a Jewish orthodox faith school. Pupils receive both a Chol (secular) and Kodesh (religious) education.  At the time of this inspection, the school had 201 pupils on roll. This exceeds the 160 pupils that leaders are registered to admit. Therefore, it is operating beyond the current registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE), as recorded on the Get Information about Schools website. The school has not notified the DfE.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor requested an increase in pupil numbers.  The last full standard inspection took place in November 2022.  The inspector conducted a tour of the premises and checked the relevant standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders during the inspection. He also met with the proprietor.  The inspector spoke on the telephone with a representative of the local authority.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents and policies in relation to the health, well-being, welfare and safety of pupils. He met with a group of pupils to discuss their welfare and their experience of school life.  The inspector scrutinised the single central record. He reviewed the safeguarding policy and leaders’ recruitment processes.

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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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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