Family & Education
Safeguarding effective at JFS, Ofsted says
Leaders have acted swiftly to address weaknesses identified a year ago, says new inspection report
June 10, 2022 09:00
Leaders have acted swiftly to address weaknesses identified a year ago, says new inspection report
June 10, 2022 09:00JFS has successfully worked to improve safeguarding, according to Ofsted - the area which was largely responsible for its shock downgrade from “good” to “inadequate” a year ago.
In a new report, inspectors have spelt out the progress made over the past year at Europe’s largest Jewish school and restored its “good” rating.
“New leaders have worked successfully to ensure that safeguarding is effective,” they said. “They have increased the school’s caring culture so that pupils are safe.”
A year ago inspectors identified flaws in safeguarding procedures and tackling disruptive behaviour and found that pupils lacked confidence to report concerns over issues such as sexual bullying.
But after a recent visit from five inspectors, Ofsted’s latest report states: “Pupils respond maturely to leaders’ promotion of respectful and positive behaviour. Leaders have raised the importance of mental health and looking after the emotional well-being of the whole school community.
“Pupils know to whom and where they can turn if they have any worries. Pupils felt confident to report any concerns because staff help them. Staff are vigilant to any incidents of bullying and act swiftly to resolve any bullying issues.”
An interim leadership was parachuted in a year ago and new permanent head David Moody started in December. Inspectors returned in April to file a second progress report and decided to convert it to a full inspection, enabling them to award a grade.
Leaders have “high expectations” for pupils’ learning and encourage “a broad range of activities and interests” outside class.
Recent revisions to the school’s behaviour policy “are understood and respected by all,” Ofsted said.
“Expectations of pupils’ conduct around the school are clear and applied routinely by staff. At breaktimes, although busy, social spaces are calm and orderly. Pupils conduct themselves positively in class so that learning proceeds uninterrupted.”
Inspectors also found improvements in the relationships and sex education programme which was criticised last year. “Dedicated sessions for all year groups are delivered by trained staff. These… are supplemented with specially organised workshops in response to identified and specific risks to pupils’ well-being or requests and suggestions from pupils, including the school’s LGBTQ+ group.
“Specialist support is available to pupils, particularly when sensitive themes are covered, such as domestic violence, drugs awareness and harmful sexual behaviour.”
Leaders, including governors had “acted swiftly and effectively to address weaknesses identified at the time of the school’s previous inspection,” Ofsted reported.
They have developed “a fully trained and competent safeguarding team. Staff awareness of safeguarding concerns is heightened because of their training and leaders’ high expectations. All staff understand their safeguarding responsiblities.
“Leaders have ensured that staff and pupils are alert to any incidents of harmful sexual behaviour and all know the correct procedures to follow should they have any concerns.”
As for further areas of improvement, Ofsted found that some pupils had not felt confident about making decisions for GCSE and A-level because they had not received detailed information about different career pathways.