Etz Chaim Boys School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Etz Chaim Boys School 458 Bury New Road, Salford M7 4LJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2A(1), 2A(1)(d) ◼ At the school’s standard inspection in September 2024, inspectors found that pupils had limited knowledge of diversity and the differences that exist among people. The school did not teach pupils about the full range of protected characteristics, including those that relate to sexual orientation and gender reassignment, as set out in the Equality Act 2010. In the development of its provision for relationships and sex education, the school was found not to have had due regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002. ◼ At the progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, the school had made some improvements to the ways that pupils learn about some of the protected characteristics, such as disability, gender and race. However, the school had made no plans to teach pupils about those characteristics related to sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

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Main inspection findings

Additionally, the school continued not to have regard for the guidance under section 80A of the Education Act. Consequently, pupils’ knowledge of relationships and sex education (RSE) remained limited. ◼ At this inspection, the school has continued to make improvements to the ways that pupils learn about some of the protected characteristics. For some year groups, there is now a more carefully crafted programme that links the Kodesh curriculum to the curriculum for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic education. However, these developments do not show where pupils will learn about all the protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender reassignment. In addition, the school’s RSE curriculum does not meet the requirements of the statutory guidance. ◼ The independent school standards (the standards) in this part remain unmet. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 5, 5(b), 5(b)(vi) ◼ When the school was inspected in September 2024, it was found that the curriculum did not support pupils to learn about some of the protected characteristics. This meant that pupils were not sufficiently prepared for life in modern Britain. ◼ At the last progress monitoring inspection, the inspector found that the school’s programme for pupils’ social, moral, cultural and spiritual development (SMSC) did not include any support for pupils to learn about the protected characteristics relating to gender reassignment and sexual orientation. Consequently, pupils remained insufficiently prepared for life in modern Britain. ◼ At this inspection, although the school has made some progress as noted in part 1, the programme for SMSC does not include learning about all the protected characteristics, as defined by law. Pupils are not prepared well enough for life in modern Britain.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c) ◼ At the standard inspection, inspectors found some minor weaknesses in the school’s system for recording concerns. These systems were found to lack the rigour needed to enable leaders to spot patterns and trends that might relate to a pupil’s welfare. This made it more difficult for the school to minimise risks to pupils. ◼ At the last progress monitoring inspection, the school had made limited progress in making improvements to the rigour of its recording systems. For example, regular discussions took place between leaders to share information about pupils’ welfare. However, the recording of these concerns lacked sufficient rigour. For example, records lacked the detail needed to ensure that they contributed effectively to the overall picture of pupils’ welfare. ◼ At this inspection, the school has introduced an electronic recording system for any

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding issues. Staff have received training to help them understand leaders’ expectations for how any concerns should be recorded. There is evidence that leaders take timely action to follow up on concerns raised. The system now in place enables leaders to efficiently spot patterns and trends that may help them to notice that a pupil may be at risk or require additional support. ◼ These standards are now met. Paragraph 11 ◼ At the standard inspection, weaknesses were found in the implementation of the school’s health and safety policy. In particular, it was found that the school’s systems for the routine monitoring of health and safety compliance lacked rigour and regularity. ◼ At the last progress monitoring inspection, it was found that the school had put in place a system for identifying and reporting any issues that required attention, such as damage or breakages. However, it was found that at times the school did not act quickly

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Main inspection findings

enough to carry out the necessary repairs or address the hazards identified. ◼ At this inspection, the school has put a health and safety manager in place to oversee this aspect of the school’s work. This is having a positive impact on ensuring that any issues raised are quickly actioned. There are effective systems in place for checking compliance over time with regular reviews and oversight from leaders. The school environment is a safe place for pupils to learn. For example, tools for design technology are now kept behind a locked door, only accessible with adult supervision. ◼ The standards in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25 ◼ At the standard inspection, it was found that some aspects of the school’s environment were unhygienic. These included areas related to the preparation of food, such as the kitchen and the areas provided for pupils to carry out food technology. ◼ At the last progress monitoring inspection, it was found that the school had made some improvements. For example, some surfaces for food technology were clean and pans were stored tidily on shelving. However, some surfaces and items of equipment were seen to be dirty and to require further cleaning. These shortfalls in hygiene presented a potential risk to pupils’ health, safety and welfare. ◼ At this inspection, the school has put in place regular cleaning for all areas involving food preparation. Surfaces were clean and the environment was suitable for food preparation. For example, equipment was stored safely and found to be clean and well maintained.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c) ◼ At the standard inspection, there were a number of qualitative weaknesses found. For example, reading was found not to have been prioritised sufficiently. Some pupils did not receive the support that they needed to develop strong reading skills and knowledge. In a number of curriculum subjects, the school had not considered all the knowledge that pupils should learn, and in what order. The school was found to not make effective use of the information from assessments to identify when pupils had gaps in their knowledge. ◼ At the last progress monitoring inspection, it was found that, in some subjects, the school had made some improvements to its curriculum for pupils in key stage 3. In these subjects, the curriculum now contains the key knowledge that the school wants pupils to learn over time. However, work to improve the curriculum is at different stages in some

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Main inspection findings

subjects. Where this is the case, it was likely to be much more difficult to ensure that pupils across the school were learning everything that they needed to know. ◼ The proprietor had ensured that time had been allowed for the provision of extra support for pupils who need help with reading. However, the school had made very little progress with the provision of appropriate resources and schemes of work for pupils at the early stage of reading. ◼ The school had made limited progress in improving its use of information from assessments. This work was at too early a stage to have had an impact for pupils. ◼ At this inspection, leaders have continued to put in place additional support for pupils who need help with reading. The support that pupils receive is regularly reviewed to check that pupils are making progress. Teachers are making more use of assessments to check that pupils are making enough progress. Leaders are starting to have a clearer

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Main inspection findings

oversight of this information and the impact on pupils’ learning. ◼ At the standard inspection, inspectors found that school leaders did not understand some of the standards well enough to ensure that they were met. For example, the requirement to teach about all of the protected characteristics as defined by law was not fully understood. This continued to be the case. ◼ During the last progress monitoring inspection, previously unmet standards remained unmet. These included standards relating to pupils’ welfare, health and safety. The proprietor had not sufficiently demonstrated that it had the skills and knowledge to ensure that the standards were met consistently and securely. ◼ At this inspection, although the school now meets the previously unmet standards in part 3 and part 5, there are still unmet standards in other parts. The proprietor and school leaders have not ensured that the curriculum meets the requirements of the standards.

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Main inspection findings

◼ The standards 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, 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

◼ 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. ◼ 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

◼ 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) Voluntary contributions

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 24 to 26 September 2024

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Information about this school

◼ The previous standard inspection took place from 24 to 26 September 2024. ◼ Etz Chaim is an orthodox Jewish boys’ school. It operates from premises at 458 Bury New Road, Salford M7 4LJ. ◼ The sole proprietor is Yonah Chaim Reich. ◼ There are 246 pupils on the school roll. The school has an agreed capacity with the Department for Education (DfE) for 250 pupils. ◼ The school is registered for pupils aged between 11 and 17. At the time of this inspection, there were no pupils accessing the school’s sixth-form provision. Pupils typically leave the school at the end of Year 10 to attend a Yeshiva. ◼ The school does not use alternative provision for any pupils.

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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. ◼ The school was judged to not comply with the independent school standards at the standard inspection, which took place from 24 to 26 September 2024. ◼ This was the second progress monitoring inspection. ◼ Following the previous progress monitoring inspection, the DfE required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. This action plan was evaluated by Ofsted on 16 September 2025. It was judged to be unacceptable and rejected by the DfE. ◼ The inspection was conducted with no notice. ◼ The inspector met with the proprietor, the headteacher and leaders responsible for health and safety, safeguarding and the curriculum.

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Information about this inspection

◼ The inspector reviewed a range of documentation relating to safeguarding. This included records of concern, the safeguarding policy and the single central record.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, lead inspector His Majesty’s 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 un-met 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[9]; 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools.

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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) ensure 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 food 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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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