Pikuach, the inspection service for Jewish studies which is run by the Board of Deputies, is standing by its one-word overall grade of schools in line with Ofsted practice.

Ofsted has come under widespread pressure for reform following the death of a primary headteacher in January who is believed to have taken her belief after her school was downgraded.

The national inspection service is introducing some changes but is remaining by its single-grade overall assessment which its head says is u useful for parents.

Pikuach, which is accredited by the Department for Education, said it would review its new inspection framework, which was introduced last summer following lockdown, at the end of the academic year. However, it had “no plans to change the inspection report at this time”.

As with Ofsted, Pikuach awards a grade of outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate for the effectiveness of Jewish studies overall, based on its evaluation of three areas: quality of Jewish education, Jewish personal and spiritual development, and leadership and management.

Pikuach seeks “to  recognise all the positive aspects of an individual school’s Jewish education and identify what future action is required  for it to improve further,” it said.

“Pikuach aims to  ensure that  all jewish schools  are creating the highest standards of Jewish education in  a supportive and positive  environment that nurtures the wellbeing of both pupils and staff.

The findings from post-inspection feedback so far “have been  positive and many have pointed out the benefits as a  collaborative  professional Pikuach inspection  experience,” it said.