An inspector’s insights
PI K UACH ( WHICH means “t o o p e n one’s eyes”) is the statutory equivalent of Ofsted for Jewish r e l i g i o u s e d u c a - tion. More than 20 years ago, the Board of Deputies pioneered Pikuach to inspect and monitor our wide range of Jewish schools. Pikuach’s work is co-ordinated by Colin Spanjar, the Board’s community issues division chair (which administers education). He says: “Many inspectors are both Pikuach and Ofsted inspectors. It means that both reports mirror each other and parents can have confidence in the security of the judgements. We are able to work closely with, adopt — and adapt to — the regular refinements to Ofsted.We have also worked closely, through our inspection service, at raising standards of Jewish education, supported for the past few years by the expertise of Dr Helena Miller and the UJIA.”
Before Pikuach, schools simply appointed someone to inspect their school. They often had no training and there was no framework to objectively measure a school’s performance. But today, all the inspections of Jewish schools are measured by standardised criteria.
Of course, differences of ethos must be considered when giving a grade. For example, a six-year-old at a strictly orthodox school will almost certainly have better Hebrew-reading skills than a counterpart at a school which has a difference balance of priorities.
If a school’s ethos is to teach about other faiths, then Pikuach inspectors will look more closely at how well it achieves this. Schools determine their priorities and Pikuach is there to support them and grade them according to their specific chosen criteria.
The past academic year saw 10 Pikuach inspections, throughout the UK, and across the religious spectrum.
Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School, the new free school in Mill Hill, was inspected in February.
Adam Dawson, its chair of governors, says: “Pikuach plays a vital role in ensuring that the Jewish ethos and teaching particular to our school is rigorously assessed, monitored and supported.”
The new Eden Jewish Primary School, in Muswell Hill, which is independent of any Jewish denomination and admits non-Jewish pupils, was inspected in July. It rated as good overall and outstanding for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
When measuring spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, inspectors look for an embodiment of Jewish values through their practice. An outstanding prayer session, for instance, might be where sixth formers organise their own services. Non-Jewish inspectors would not necessarily pick up on the significance. Cultural development might be looking at school clubs or charity initiatives. The inspection would note that children are taking the lead in running such activities.
“In terms of lessons, what leaps up at our inspectors,” Mr Spanjar says, “is whether the children are being engaged. For example, we were impressed that a teacher asked pupils what question they think Rashi would have asked, before actually studying the commentary.
“We were also impressed when a computer programme in the style of Who Wants to be a Millionaire tested pupils on Purim. These sorts of innovations are 21st-century learning.”
Pikuach has 20 inspectors from across the branches of Judaism. New Pikuach inspectors take part in monthly one-day seminars and are also mentored. Existing inspectors have termly sessions and are kept up to date with all the latest educational changes.
“Training of inspectors,” says Mr Spanjar “is rigorous, both for new inspectors and established ones. This is in order that they can review all aspects of teaching, curriculum, pupil welfare, leadership and management — and most importantly the provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, including collective worship within the diverse range of our schools across the country.”
Pikuach also shares best practice with other faith communities who have inspection powers. This includes Church schools, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim schools. Many have used its expertise to help develop their frameworks. More than a third of schools in this country are faith schools and required to have inspections and the coming academic year will see 10 joint training days between Pikuach and its counterpart in the Sikh community.
Keeping our schools the best they can be is an ongoing challenge. The Board of Deputies takes this work seriously in its quest to support the community’s aim; a quality Jewish education for every one of our children who wants one.