Gateshead school still ‘outstandingly good’

A GATESHEAD special needs school, which was ranked outstanding in three out of four areas, has come away with only a “good” rating from Ofsted.

The inspectorate last week indicated that a tougher framework was likely to reduce the number of outstanding schools.

Haskel School, which has 16 boys and girls from five to 16, was judged outstanding in its first two inspections since opening eight years ago.

Its founder, Rabbi Avrohom Sugarman — who last week received his MBE for educational work — said the latest grade was “frustrating — it’s a moving of the goalposts.

“It is clear to us the school has improved. We’ve always been outstanding — now we’re outstandingly good.”

Inspectors reported that pupils showed “very positive attitudes” to learning, and behaved consistently well. Staff knew how to keep them calm and safe.

The “powerful vision” of the school’s leadership shone through the teaching and pastoral care, Ofsted said.

Pupils “may have struggled to learn in their previous setting or may not have been attending school”.

When a pupil joined the school, “leaders find out what that pupil can do and what helps them learn.” Plans for “personalised pathways” were implemented well.

Students were able to take GCSEs and an employability course when they were older.

But Ofsted said there were missed opportunities because not all staff were trained in phonics.

One of Stamford Hill’s largest primary schools has been ranked inadequate for the fourth time in seven years.

Ofsted said that Talmud Torah Yetev Lev, a Satmar-run school with 985 boys, had made improvements since the last inspectors’ visits.

But although there was more time allocated to secular subjects, pupils’ knowledge in most of these remained weak.