ByLeon Symons, Leon Symons
Pikuach, the Jewish schools' inspection service, is about to undergo a significant change in the way it operates. It will be giving much more attention to the Jewish aspects of schools.
The organisation's director, Jeffrey Leader, said: "We have looked at the guidelines for other faiths' inspection units, for example the Anglicans and Methodists. We noted that they had a more spiritual and religious feel to how they were going about things. This made us think about how we do it and that we need a Jewish model."
Mr Leader said he had discussed potential changes in a meeting with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who expressed his full support.
Part of the strategy is that Pikuach will take a closer look at informal education, which includes trips to Israel or inviting guest speakers into schools. "All of this has made a positive impact on Jewish children's lives," he said. "It builds up children to have a Jewish heart and Jewish perspectives."
Mr Leader said that one issue causing considerable consternation is the government's diktat that schools should learn traditional British values and about two religions. At a recent meeting, he identified what he termed "dissonance" between the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. "The DfE says it wants children to 'be aware' of other faiths and cultures, while Ofsted uses the word 'teach'. The word 'teach' might make people frightened.
It builds up children to have a Jewish heart and Jewish perspectives
"Ofsted seems to want to reinforce the DfE but I think they might have to take a softer touch because the DfE is being far more gentle about the whole thing, wanting to raise awareness of other people rather than teaching it."
One unusual sideline to Pikuach's projects is its training of officers to inspect Sikh schools. "It has been brilliant because they have similar issues to us," Mr Leader said.