The London Mechina

School material change 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 11 to 13. 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 7 and remain there during key stage 3. In addition to the religious education offer, the core secular curriculum will include study of a range of subjects covering the national curriculum, including personal, social and health education (PSHE) and relationships and sex education (RSE).  Curriculum plans are likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities, including any pupils who may have education, health and care 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 teachers with primary years’

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Main inspection findings

experience and of teaching pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities to join the school in time for its opening in September 2025.  The proprietor’s plans to train teachers, and to monitor and develop the quality of education, are likely to be suitable. They have clear plans in place to foster pupils’ motivation and the checking of their academic progress.  Leaders have planned a suitable PSHE 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 RSE statutory content to be taught as part of the PSHE education curriculum. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers about the school’s policy and curriculum when the school opens.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if

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Main inspection findings

the Department for Education (DfE) approves the material change. 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 if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7a and 7b  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 relevant standards that were checked in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The proprietor and members of the team setting up this school have a secure working understanding of the standards. They are working diligently to recruit a headteacher and a teaching team in order to operate from September 2025. 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 if the material change is implemented.

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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 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 likely 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 26 March 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 15 to 18 11 to 13 11 to 13

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 0 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 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

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 school

 The school was first registered as an independent day school for boys of Orthodox Jewish Faith in May 2024.  Currently, the school is registered to admit up to 45 boys between the ages of 15 to 18. At the time of this inspection, there were no pupils on roll. The school is seeking approval from the DfE to change to the age range of pupils the school is registered to admit.  The school does not currently use alternative provision and does not intend to, should the material change be approved.  The school has not received a standard inspection since its pre-registration inspection in March 2024.  The school is located at Woodside Park Synagogue, Woodside Park Road, London N12 8RZ.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE in response to the proprietor’s request for a material change. The proprietor has requested a change to the registered age range of pupils who may attend the school from 15 to 18 to 11 to 13.  This was the school’s first material change request and inspection.  The inspector carried out a range of activities to check the likely compliance with the standards, if the material change is agreed and implemented. This included meeting with leaders, discussing the school’s safeguarding arrangements and checking of relevant standards and policies.

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Inspection team

Phil Garnham, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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