Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls Stratford Road, Hendon, London NW4 2AT

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(A)(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d)  At the previous inspection in March 2023, inspectors found weaknesses in the school’s personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. The PSHE programme was not planned and taught in a way that promoted respect for all of the protected characteristics. PSHE did not help pupils to build up an awareness of cultures and faiths beyond their own. Leaders had not met their statutory obligations regarding relationships and sex education (RSE). Teaching about relationships did not reflect the statutory guidance. Leaders did not have arrangements to ensure that a suitable programme for sex education was in place should a pupil who is eligible to request it do so.  In their action plan, leaders referred to purchasing a curriculum which would be followed to deliver aspects of PSHE. In the plan, the purpose of this was unclear and there was

p.1

Main inspection findings

no clear intention to pay regard to all the protected characteristics in any phase.  This inspection found that leaders have made some improvements to the provision for PSHE. Curriculum plans now set out clearly what pupils will be taught in Years 7 to 11 under the broad topics of health and well-being, living in the wider world and relationships. PSHE is taught mainly through weekly timetabled ‘mechaneches’ lessons and is also threaded through the curriculum. For example, during the school’s recent ‘Technology Awareness Week’, pupils were taught about online safety and the potential risks and negative impact of social media. Leaders have started to check that the curriculum is being delivered as planned. However, the programme for PSHE education does not encourage respect for other people paying particular regard to all protected characteristics of which pupils must be made aware at a timely point.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 Leaders now have a suitable programme available for any pupils who choose to receive sex education. As at the previous inspection, all pupils have been withdrawn from sex education at the request of parents. The school’s programme for relationships education does not reference all the required content as set out in statutory guidance.  The standards in this part continue to be not met. Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii) and 2(2)(e)(iii)  At the time of the previous inspection, pupils did not receive broad and impartial careers guidance. The school had not planned a careers programme to help pupils make informed choices about the range of options for their future education and careers, including pathways for aspirational professions such as medicine. Inspectors found that the careers advice offered to pupils did not extend beyond opportunities within the local community.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 The action plan set out leaders’ proposed actions to improve the careers guidance offered to pupils. These included a new careers programme involving assemblies, workshops, mock interviews, work-experience placements and careers lectures. Leaders planned to involve an independent careers adviser and an employment charity in the careers programme.  Leaders have realised their plans to improve careers. For example, pupils in Year 9 now have individual meetings with an external independent careers adviser. This helps them to reflect on their skills, interests and possible future careers. Pupils receive careful guidance when considering their GCSE options, with staff making pupils aware of the links between different subjects and further education and career options. Pupils in Years 10 to 12 have a careers event day where they have the opportunity to hear from external speakers about a range of careers, including graphic design, landscape

p.2

Main inspection findings

gardening and accountancy. Leaders have set in motion their plans for pupils in Years 10 and 12 to have work experience in the summer term.  These previously unmet requirements in this part are now met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b) and 5(b)(vi)  At the previous inspection, inspectors found that pupils were not provided with information about the full range of protected characteristics.  There have been no developments in this respect. While the curriculum encourages respect for all people in a general way, it does not pay particular regard to all protected characteristics of which pupils must be made aware at a timely point.  The standards in this part continue to be not met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, safeguarding was judged effective. This continues to be the

p.2

Main inspection findings

case. The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date with statutory guidance and is available to parents on request.  Leaders ensure that staff receive regular training to help them understand the signs that suggest that pupils may be at risk. Staff log any concerns about pupils and identify patterns in pupils’ behaviour and well-being. Leaders follow up any concerns promptly and make sure that pupils get the right support. They involve external agencies, such as children’ services, when necessary. Pupils are safe and well looked after here. They have adults to talk to at school who they trust will help them with any concerns, no matter how small.  These standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  At the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met. This was because they had not ensured that pupils receive impartial

p.2

Main inspection findings

careers advice. They had not implemented the statutory guidance on RSE or PSHE, including paying particular regard to all protected characteristics.  In their submitted action plan, leaders’ plans to improve the quality of careers guidance to ensure that it is suitably broad and impartial were deemed likely to meet the relevant required standards.  Leaders’ proposed actions in their action planning were judged unlikely to ensure that the school filled the gaps identified in the school’s RSE and PSHE curriculums.  This inspection found that leaders continue to actively promote the well-being of pupils. They have taken some effective steps to now meet previously unmet standards so that . leaders have been successful in making improvements to the school’s careers programme.  The proprietor body has not ensured that all those who have leadership and management responsibilities demonstrate the knowledge and skills and fully fulfil their

p.3

Main inspection findings

responsibilities so that that the school standards are met consistently.  Some unmet standards remain in Parts 1 and 2 and therefore requirements in this part continue to be not met.

p.3

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.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers education 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;

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Girls

p.5

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 32

p.5

School details

Proprietor Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls Ltd

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 March 2023

p.5

Information about this school

 This is an independent Orthodox Jewish school in Barnet.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  Childcare provision, BY Creche, operates on the school site for the children of staff. This provision is registered with Ofsted and is the subject of separate inspection arrangements.

p.5

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 first progress monitoring inspection since its previous full standard inspection in March 2023. It was conducted with 30 minutes’ prior notice.  Following the previous inspection, the school submitted an action plan. It was judged to be not acceptable by Ofsted in July 2023 and was rejected by the Department for Education (DfE).  This inspection focused on the school’s compliance with particular requirements in parts 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher, the school’s education consultant and other school leaders. The inspector met with two members of the

p.6

Information about this inspection

school’s governing body and had a telephone discussion with the chair of the proprietor body. The inspector spoke with a group of staff and met with two groups of pupils. The inspector visited a whole-school assembly.  The inspector reviewed documentation presented by the school, including that related to RSE, PSHE and careers guidance. The inspector analysed school policies and documentation relating to safeguarding. The inspector checked the record of staff pre- employment checks.

p.6

The school’s proposed change to the maximum number of pupils

The school has applied to the DfE to make a ‘material change’ to its registration. At the DfE’s request, we checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.

p.6

The school’s proposed change to the maximum number of pupils

 The outcome of this part of the inspection is: the school is likely to meet the

p.6

relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

school provision is implemented.  The school is registered to accept up to 330 pupils, aged 11 to 17. Leaders have applied to increase the number on roll to 345. The school showed the inspector correspondence from DfE giving permission for the school to have a small number of additional pupils on roll while waiting for the material change inspection.  The school premises are clean and well maintained. Classrooms and the outside areas are suitably spacious and resourced. There are adequate toilets, washing and changing facilities to accommodate the extra 15 pupils.  Leaders have a clear understanding of relevant health and safety regulations to ensure that pupils are safe and well supervised on the school premises. All the required pre- recruitment checks on staff are completed. The site complies with fire safety regulations.  Leaders have an appropriate risk assessment policy in place and they take suitable

p.6

relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

action to identify and mitigate any risks to pupils. This includes when pupils are taken off-site for activities such as educational visits.

p.7

Information about the material change inspection

 The inspector visited the school premises to check whether the school is likely to comply with Part 5 of the independent school standards. In addition, the inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including the school’s policies and procedures related to health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment, and visited some lessons.

p.7

Inspection team

Jude Wilson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

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

p.8

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)(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[9]; – 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met of 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

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools,

p.8

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)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and

p.8

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; and

p.8

standards

 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers education 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; 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.8

standards

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.10

standards

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.10

standards

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.10

standards

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.10

standards

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

p.10

standards

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

p.10