Gateshead school drops from good to inadequate

A STRICTLY Orthodox independent school rated good just two years ago has been downgraded to inadequate after inspectors found that it does not talk about same-sex orientation.

The Gateshead Jewish Cheder Primary School, teaching 269 boys from three to 14, was also criticised for a narrow curriculum and for having insufficient expectations of pupils.

Ofsted additionally said the school was taking in year 10 pupils, which it was not registered to do.

“Governors were clear during the inspection that they specifically prohibit staff from providing pupils with any knowledge of different sexual orientations,” Ofsted said. “As such, they do not encourage pupils to have respect for all other people.”

Although secondary age pupils could talk about some other faiths in Britain, primary pupils had limited knowledge.

As a result, “leaders and governors do not actively promote the British values of mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”, Ofsted reported.

Mornings were devoted to Hebrew but primary pupils learned English, maths and science in the afternoon. Yet year 10s studied only English, maths and Hebrew, taking GSCEs in the first two subjects.

“Although there is evidence that pupils have experience of other subjects — for instance, primary pupils complete a project on the Victorians — there is little time within the timetable to study other subjects,” Ofsted said.

Leaders do not actively promote mutual respect’