Me'or High School

School material change inspection report

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Me’or High School 47 Singleton Road, Salford M7 4SL

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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 school’s safeguarding policy is published online and is available in paper form for parents and carers on request. The safeguarding policy reflects the most up-to-date government guidance. There is a safeguarding team in place that has the background and expertise to ensure that the school’s safeguarding arrangements keep pupils safe from harm.  The designated safeguarding lead works closely with the safeguarding team and the wider pastoral team to create a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. Staff know what to do if they have any concern about a pupil. There are rigorous systems and procedures in place to record and report concerns. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  There is a health and safety policy in place that ensures that pupils learn in a safe environment. There are suitable procedures in place to identify and address any risks

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Main inspection findings

or areas for improvement within the building and around the grounds. Any issues are quickly rectified to a high standard.  Fire-safety checks are carried out by competent staff. Records of these checks are maintained with accuracy. There are regular fire-evacuation drills where any follow-up actions are noted and addressed. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The risk assessment policy suitably sets out leaders’ expectations for identifying and mitigating risks. Risk assessments are appropriate and understood by both leaders and staff. These are in place for the indoor learning environment as well as for when pupils learn outside and off site. Paragraph 14  The number of staff at the school is suitable for the numbers of pupils on roll. Leaders’ plans for expansion are coupled with suitable plans for increasing staff numbers. Leaders take care to appoint staff with relevant background and expertise.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i)-18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i)-19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b)- 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)-20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i)-20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)-21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i)-21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7)-21(7)(b)  The single central record (SCR) is in place. It includes all staff. The proprietor keeps up to date with requirements for maintaining this record. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, including those relating to suitability for leadership and management.

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Main inspection findings

 Some staff have had safer recruitment training that enables them to make sure that safeguarding is central within recruitment processes. Leaders make sure that recruitment checks are completed before staff start their employment.  Agency staff are rarely used, but leaders are aware of the requirements should they employ these staff. Leaders are familiar with the procedures for the necessary checks for staff who have spent time overseas.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a)-23(1)(c), 28(1)-28(1)(d), 28(2)-28(2)(b)  The new school premises was previously residential accommodation that has been refurbished to a high standard. The accommodation consists of three floors of teaching spaces and a large outdoor space.  There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities, including hot and cold water. Toilet

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Main inspection findings

cubicles are lockable from the inside for privacy. Water is set to an appropriate temperature and drinking water is clearly labelled. Pupils can access drinking water throughout the day.  Physical education (PE) takes place on the school site and there are appropriate changing facilities. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  There is a suitable medical room with a shower, toilet and sink nearby. The medical room contains a bed and a first-aid kit. There is appropriate storage for medication and logs for recording first-aid treatment or administration of medication. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The accommodation is maintained to a high standard. It is clean and tidy. The proprietor has made the relevant checks to ensure that the sound and lighting provides a suitable environment for pupils to learn. There is external lighting that covers all exits so that pupils, staff and visitors can safely enter and exit the building

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Main inspection findings

in the hours of darkness. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a)-29(1)(b)  The school has an all-weather outdoor area suitable for recreation and physical activity, including PE lessons.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)-34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the standards. It checks compliance with the standards regularly.  The proprietor has ensured that the responsibilities of the headteacher and senior leaders are fulfilled by staff with the relevant background and expertise to carry out their roles effectively. There are robust systems and procedures in place to monitor the school’s work and maintain the quality of education.  The proprietor has thought carefully about how it will ensure that the standards are met consistently following the school’s move to new premises and with an increase to

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Main inspection findings

the numbers of pupils on roll.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material changes is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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 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 12 to 14 July 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 63 110 90

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations The new school building has sufficient, suitable learning space for no more than 90 pupils.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 63 110

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 13 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 0

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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 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 30 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 5 7

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was 12 to 14 July 2022.  The proprietor is currently acting as the headteacher.  This is an orthodox Jewish faith school.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  The school is operating beyond its registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE). It has exceeded the maximum number of pupils on roll that it is registered to admit. The school is registered to admit up to 45 pupils. There are currently 63 pupils on roll.  The school has already moved to the proposed new premises. It was previously located at 16 Moor Lane, Salford M7 3WX. This is the address recorded on the DfE’s ‘Get information about schools’. The school is now located in premises at 47 Singleton Road, Salford M7 4SL.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase its pupil capacity from 45 to 110 and for a change in premises from 16 Moor Lane, Salford M7 3WX to 47 Singleton Road, Salford M7 4SL.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity and change of premises since the school’s standard inspection in July 2022.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the chair and other members of the proprietor body. She also met with senior leaders.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material

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Information about this inspection

change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, lead inspector His Majesty’s 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

and inspects to 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 children looked after, 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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