Bnei Zion Community School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Bnei Zion Community School 49–51 Ravensdale Road, London N16 6TJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(h), 3, 3(a), 3(d) and 3(e)  At the school’s standard inspection in September 2022 these standards were not met because the curriculum lacked ambition. Leaders were not ensuring that pupils could read well enough in the English language. Teachers did not have the necessary subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum consistently.  The progress monitoring inspection in June 2023 identified that leaders had introduced more ambitious curriculum plans, including in science and geography. A new literacy programme had been introduced and was beginning to make a difference to pupils’ reading. However, at that time, across the curriculum there was little work in pupils’ books. There was limited evidence of the curriculum plans being implemented.  This inspection found that leaders have continued to embed the secular curriculum. Staff

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Main inspection findings

have received further training in different subjects, including physical education (PE) and reading. However, the new curriculum plans in geography and science are not being delivered to pupils in Years 1 and 2. This means that these pupils do not receive a broad secular curriculum. PE is in the early stages of being implemented. Pupils in Year 6, for example, do not benefit from any formal PE. There is still too much variability in how the curriculum is implemented. For example, teachers do not routinely pick up on pupils’ misconceptions or adjust activities to meet pupils’ needs. Leaders have not considered how to check what pupils have learned in subjects other than English and mathematics.  These standards continue to be not met. Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i), 5, 5(b), 5(b)(v) and 5(b)(vi)  The school’s full standard inspection found that pupils were not learning about the

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Main inspection findings

religions, faiths and cultures of others. Pupils were not taught about the different types of relationships people might have and the legal rights of people with protected characteristics.  At the progress monitoring inspection in June 2023, leaders had introduced new plans for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. However, these plans had not been adapted well enough to meet the needs of the school and were not being implemented fully.  This inspection found that the school’s programme for PSHE and relationships education is not implemented consistently. Leaders have not worked out what pupils should be taught and when. It is unclear, from the school’s documentation, what leaders intend for pupils to learn about other faiths and cultures, for example. Pupils continue to have a very basic understanding about religions other than their own. Overall, leaders do not ensure that pupils gain the knowledge and understanding they need in readiness for life

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Main inspection findings

in modern Britain.  These standards remain not met. Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(f) and 1.13 of the early years statutory requirements  These standards were not met at the standard inspection because the teaching of phonics, including in early years, was weak. Leaders were not ensuring that children learned to read in English well enough or soon enough.  The progress monitoring inspection in June 2023 found that leaders’ actions were beginning to take effect. Staff had started to read more often to children in English and children were receiving daily phonics lessons. However, at that time, the programme was not well embedded.  This inspection found that leaders’ actions have had a positive impact. Children in the early years now benefit from daily phonics lessons which are delivered consistently. Staff have received training to deliver the phonics programme and leaders monitor the programme’s effectiveness regularly. Children in the Reception Year now start the

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Main inspection findings

phonics programme from the start of the academic year.  Leaders now provide pupils with more opportunities to hear, speak and read in English. For example, children in the early years take part in circle time story sessions and in dual language activities in each of the areas of learning. Leaders ensure that pupils have opportunities to practise phonics regularly, including for spelling.  These standards including the early years statutory requirements are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  These standards were met at the previous inspections. However, this inspection found weaknesses in relation to leaders’ safeguarding knowledge. Leaders have not followed statutory guidance in relation to reporting allegations against members of staff to the local authority. Until this inspection, leaders did not know that they should report concerns of this nature to the local authority designated officer. In addition, safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

records, such as concern forms, lack detail and clarity.  Pupils said they feel safe in school and feel confident to report any worries to staff. Leaders have ensured that staff are well trained to identify and report concerns about pupils’ welfare.  These standards are not met. Paragraph 32, 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is appropriate and, in the absence of a school website, hard copies are made available to parents and carers.  This standard remains met. Paragraphs 9, 9(c)  This standard was met at the previous inspections. However, this inspection found that leaders do not keep up-to-date or accurate records related to behaviour, including the use of physical intervention.  This standard is not met.  Some standards in this part are not met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c)  These standards were met at the previous inspections. However, this inspection found

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Main inspection findings

that almost half of the pupils in Year 6 were aged 11 at the start of this academic year. The proprietor and leaders do not provide pupils of secondary age with appropriate changing and shower facilities as specified in the independent school standards.  These standards are now not met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the standard inspection in September 2022, the proprietor had not ensured that all leaders had the required skills and knowledge to improve the quality of education and ensure all the standards were met. The post-inspection action plan stated that leaders had increased the amount of support provided by a consultant headteacher to boost leadership capacity and knowledge.  The progress monitoring inspection in June 2023 found that weaknesses remained and that the independent school standards that were checked remained not met.

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Main inspection findings

 This inspection found that leaders’ actions have had a positive impact on the teaching of phonics, including in the early years and that these standards are now met. Nevertheless, all the other independent school standards that were checked remain not met. This inspection identified new unmet standards which were met in previous inspections. Leaders do not keep up-to-date or coherent records of behaviour incidents or the use of physical intervention. They did not know, until this inspection, of the requirement to report allegations against members of staff to the local authority.  The proprietor continues to breach the school’s registration agreement by admitting pupils beyond the age of five. In addition, because almost half of the pupils in Year 6 were aged 11 at the start of the academic year, the school now fails to meet the standard related to changing and shower facilities.  The previously unmet standards in this part remain not met. In addition, due to the

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Main inspection findings

weaknesses identified in part 3, 34(1)(c) is also 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

Annual fees (day pupils) Voluntary contributions

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13 to 15 September 2022

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Information about this school

 This is a primary day school for boys of Orthodox Jewish faith. The school occupies a single site in Stamford Hill, Hackney.  The school’s most recent full standard inspection took place in September 2022.  The school is registered to admit up to 200 pupils between the ages of three and five. The school currently has 160 pupils on roll between the ages of three and 11. This means that the school continues to be in breach of its registration agreement.  The school does not make use of 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 school’s second progress monitoring inspection since its last full inspection in September 2022. The first progress monitoring inspection took place in June 2023.  This inspection was conducted without notice.  Since the previous progress monitoring inspection, leaders were asked to submit an action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in October 2023 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complied with particular requirements within parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards and

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Information about this inspection

one of the early years foundation stage statutory requirements.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher, other leaders and consultant headteacher. The inspector toured the premises and reviewed a range of documents, including policies, curriculum plans and resources, the single central record of pre- employment checks on adults and records related to safeguarding. The inspector met with a group of pupils and a group of staff. At the request of the school, the inspector did not ask pupils anything about sex, sexual orientation, civil partnership or gender reassignment.

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Inspection team

Gary Rawlings, lead inspector His 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 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(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills – 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 characteristics set out in the 2010 Act – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 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

 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(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 – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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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(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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.

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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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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(f) where the school has pupils below compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their educational needs in relation to personal, social, emotional and physical development and communication and language skills

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Early years learning and development requirements

1.13 The provider must ensure children have sufficient opportunities to learn and reach a good standard in English language during the early years foundation stage, ensuring children are ready to benefit from the opportunities available to them when they begin Year 1. 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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Early years learning and development requirements

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Early years learning and development requirements

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Early years learning and development requirements

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Early years learning and development requirements

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Early years learning and development requirements

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Early years learning and development requirements

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