Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass School

Overview

The report states that the school’s overall effectiveness and quality of education ‘require improvement’, though behaviour and attitudes are ‘good’. While pupils are happy and well-behaved, the report notes that in some subjects, pupils ‘do not achieve as well as they should’ due to unclear curriculum planning. Leaders have taken action to improve the curriculum, but the report concludes that pupils do not yet benefit from a ‘high-quality education’.

Strengths

• Pupils are ‘happy to come to school’ and maintain ‘positive relationships’ with staff who ‘care for pupils and keep them safe’.
• Early years provision is ‘good’, with children getting off to a ‘good start in reading and mathematics’ through effective phonics teaching.
• Behaviour is ‘good’, with pupils being ‘polite and respectful’ and the school environment described as ‘calm and orderly’.
• Staff receive appropriate training and support, and the school prioritises identifying pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Areas to improve

• The school must clearly define the key knowledge to be taught in all subjects and ensure teachers can check that pupils retain this information over time.
• The programme for pupils’ personal development is ‘underdeveloped’, meaning pupils are not sufficiently prepared for life in modern Britain; the school needs a ‘coherent programme’ that deepens understanding.
• The proprietor and governors must provide ‘effective challenge and support’ to maintain the momentum of improvement, as previous action was not swift enough.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.