The London Mechina

School pre-registration inspection report

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The London Mechina Woodside Park Synagogue, Woodside Park Road, London N12 8RZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have written curriculum and assessment policies that are likely to be suitable in providing a high-quality education to boys aged 15 to 18. The policies are supported by appropriate schemes of work that cover all the required areas of learning for pupils who will join the school in Year 11 and remain there as sixth-form students. In addition to the religious education offer, the core secular curriculum will include study at A Level in a range of subjects, including economics, geography and Biblical Hebrew, as well as physical education and a programme of food and nutrition. Curriculum plans are likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities, including any pupils who may have education, health and care (EHC) plans. The proprietor is likely to ensure that the school is well funded, and the curriculum is well resourced. Leaders are in the process of recruiting subject specialists to join the

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Main inspection findings

school in time for its opening in September 2024. Plans to train teachers, and to monitor and develop the quality of education, are likely to be suitable.  Leaders have planned a suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, which includes coverage of fundamental British values and equality. The proposed school’s leaders are fully committed to paying regard to all the protected characteristics, as defined in the Equality Act 2010. Leaders have planned for all the required relationships and sex education statutory content to be taught as part of the PSHE education curriculum. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers when the school opens. Leaders have suitable plans to commission an external provider to ensure pupils receive regular, impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance. This will complement the planned careers units of work in the PSHE education curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed curriculum includes discrete lessons in PSHE education, a planned programme of assemblies, and regular enrichment trips and visiting speakers. Through these activities, pupils are likely to be encouraged to respect differences, including in relation to all the protected characteristics and other religions, faiths and cultures. Planning shows that pupils will learn about fundamental British values, respectful and healthy relationships, and the diversity of modern society.  The proposed staff code of conduct makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan political views and that balanced points of view must always be presented in the teaching of any political topic.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance, as does the safer-recruitment process. The proposed systems for inducting and training staff, tracking safeguarding concerns and actions taken, and embedding a culture of safeguarding, are likely to be effective.  The proposed school’s suitable behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be implemented well. Leaders intend to use spreadsheets to record incidents of serious misbehaviour and any sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s health and safety policy is likely to be implemented well. The arrangements for complying with fire-safety legislation are suitable. All the required weekly, monthly and annual logs and certificates of fire-safety checks are current.  Leaders have written a suitable first-aid policy. The processes for ensuring there are trained first aiders and managing and recording accidents, injuries and medication,

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Main inspection findings

are likely to be suitable.  Plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. Class sizes will be up to 15 pupils. Pupils will always be supervised at breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The school’s admission and attendance registers are likely to be compliant with the requirements of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. They are likely to include all the required information.  The proposed school’s risk-assessment policy and written risk assessments are likely to be suitable if implemented well, including for the premises, trips and visitors.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed school’s single central register is likely to be compliant, as it includes all the required, dated, checks.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The premises are likely to be fit for purpose. There are three large, suitable classrooms, a suitable medical-room facility and two large halls for prayer and physical education. There is also an outdoor playground. Though the premises have their own entrance, any shared use of the wider premises has been suitably assessed for the possible risks presented.  Drinking water will be readily available to pupils from water coolers. The hot water supply is safely regulated. Lighting inside and out, and the building’s acoustics, are all likely to be suitable. There are suitable toilet and washing facilities, including a disabled toilet on the ground floor and a changing and shower facility.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  As there is no plan to host a website, leaders have written an information booklet which contains all the required information outlined in this part. All the required

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Main inspection findings

policies have been written and will be made available to parents on request. Leaders have prepared a suitable template to report pupils’ progress and attainment on an annual basis. Leaders are aware of their statutory duties should pupils with EHC plans attend the proposed school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s written complaints procedure reflects all the requirements in this part. The formal complaints log includes any complaint’s stage of resolution, and any action taken as a result. If implemented well, the school’s proposed procedure is likely to ensure complaints are handled appropriately.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The members of the team setting up this proposed school have a secure working understanding of the independent school standards. They are working diligently to

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Main inspection findings

recruit a headteacher and a teaching team in order to operate from September 2024. Plans for governance are likely to be secure, including to ensure consistent compliance with all the standards and associated requirements.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan includes suitable actions relating to increasing accessibility to the curriculum, premises and written information.  This requirement is 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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 15 to 18 15 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 45 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Up to 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 5

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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 Not applicable Up to 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 2

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Information about this proposed school

 The London Mechina intends to register as an independent school in Barnet for boys of Orthodox Jewish faith. Most pupils will be of sixth-form age.  The proposed school is planned to open in September 2024.  The proposed school does not intend to make any use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with three days of notice.  The inspector met with a group of people setting up the proposed school, including the proprietor and chair of governors. He toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the independent school standards.

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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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

achieve 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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