Menorah Grammar School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Menorah Grammar School Abbots Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 0QS

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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), 3, 3(a), 3(c) and 3(d)  The previous monitoring inspection in November 2023 found the school’s new leaders were working proactively to improve the quality of education by broadening the secular curriculum and developing teachers’ curriculum thinking. More time had been devoted to the secular curriculum so that enough lessons were available for the teaching of GCSE and A-level subjects. Support, training and role modelling for teachers were helping them to move away from the legacy of ‘teaching to the exam’. However, these positive actions were a work in progress.  The school’s post-inspection action plan acknowledged that there was more to do to ensure that the quality of education was consistent across all subjects of the secular curriculum. Actions included increased training for staff, monitoring visits and personalised support for teachers.

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Main inspection findings

 This inspection found that leaders are realising these actions and are continuing to build on the positive work found at the previous monitoring inspection. Teachers are now thinking much more carefully about the order in which knowledge and skills are taught. Pupils spoke positively about the improvements in the quality of education they receive. The evidence shows that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are now developing a suitably broad and deep understanding of subject content across the areas of the secular curriculum.  The requirements of these independent school standards (the standards) are now met. Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i), 5, 5(b) and 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection found that the personal, social, health and economic education programme still did not include teaching pupils of any age to encourage respect for other

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Main inspection findings

people, paying particular regard to protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. This continued to limit pupils’ preparedness for life in British society.  While leaders continue to think about how they might develop the curriculum to meet these standards in the future, the school’s current stance not to teach all this content remains unchanged.  The requirements of these standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(e) to 2(2)(e)(iii)  The previous monitoring inspection found that a suitable programme of careers education had been planned and an external provider commissioned. However, while likely to be suitable, the programme had not been implemented so pupils were not benefiting from impartial careers advice and guidance.  This inspection confirms that as set out in the school’s action plan, the suitable careers programme is now being implemented. The external provider is delivering careers

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Main inspection findings

workshops to pupils of secondary age and providing individual and impartial careers advice and guidance sessions to older pupils. Pupils in Year 10 spoke particularly positively about a workshop they attended in March 2024. Leaders are also organising a careers fayre for later this term.  The requirements of these standards are now met.  Overall, some of the standards checked in this part remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  The previous monitoring inspection reported that leaders were working effectively to move the school forward. Much had been achieved, but there was more to do, especially in terms of the quality of the secular curriculum.  This inspection found that leaders have continued to take the areas for improvement from the November 2022 standard inspection seriously. Although work is ongoing, the school is now able to demonstrate successful improvements and secure compliance with the previously unmet standards relating to the quality of education and careers guidance.  The school does not meet standards relating to equality and, therefore, the preparation of pupils for life in British society.  The requirements of the standards checked in this part remain unmet.

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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. 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

Chair Daniel Goldberg and Jonathon Perl (Co- Chairs) Headteacher Yoel Rabinowitz

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £6,600 to £48,000

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School details

Email address office@menorahgrammar.barnet.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 November 2022

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Information about this school

 Menorah Grammar School is a secondary day school for boys of Orthodox Jewish faith.  Pupils begin A-level study in Year 11 and leave the school at the end of Year 12. Most move from this school to study at a Yeshiva.  The school caters for 42 pupils with education, health and care plans. This provision (the DNC) is funded by local authorities. These pupils are educated separately from the main school but on the same site. For some lessons, they join other pupils in the main school.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.  The school’s most recent inspection was a progress monitoring inspection in November 2023. This followed the school’s last standard inspection in November 2022.

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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 graded inspection in November 2022. The inspection was conducted without notice.  Since the previous inspection, leaders were asked to submit another action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in February 2024 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education in March 2024.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complies with particular requirements in parts 1, 2 and 8 of the standards.  The inspector met with senior leaders, including the headteacher and designated

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding lead. He toured the premises and visited some lessons. The inspector also reviewed a range of documents, including policies and curriculum plans, and pupils’ work.  The inspector met with two groups of pupils in Years 9 and 10. In line with the school’s wishes, he did not ask pupils questions about some of the protected characteristics.  The inspection considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of checks on adults and the availability of a published safeguarding policy. These requirements in parts 3, 4 and 6 of the standards are met.

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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(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; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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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)(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 1. Quality of education provided

– 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; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 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;

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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(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. 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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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