A primary school where teachers allegedly “pinch the cheeks” of pupils and administer “slaps and smacks” when dealing with misbehaviour has been rated by Ofsted as “inadequate.”

The Talmud Torah Yetev Lev, an Orthodox Jewish school in Hackney, north-east London, is registered to admit 567 pupils. But there are currently 1,213 pupils on roll, say inspectors, who also noted it was breaching registration requirements by educating 13- and 14-year-olds despite only being registered for pupils aged between 2 and 12. 

In their report, a team of five inspectors say that “serious safeguarding concerns” are now being investigated by “appropriate public bodies.”

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They state: “Some pupils told inspectors that some leaders use inappropriate physical contact, such as pinching cheeks, to manage their behaviour.

“Of significant concern is the fact that a small minority of pupils reported that a ‘slap’ or ‘smack’ has been used as a sanction for misbehaviour at school.

“Leaders and governors told inspectors that this was unacceptable, and not permitted. Nevertheless, inspectors required the school to follow its stated safeguarding procedures, including reporting these allegations to the local authority as raising serious safeguarding concerns. Inspectors remain concerned that the school’s strategies to manage behaviour compromise pupils’ welfare.” 

Other concerns outlined in the report include that:  

• Adults do not oversee pupils appropriately. When left unsupervised, pupils do not behave sensibly.

• Record-keeping is disorganised and unreliable. Leaders do not know if pupils attend school regularly.

• The curriculum is narrow. Leaders and governors have not ensured that pupils receive sufficient experience in scientific, technological, human and social, and creative education. 

• The early years provision is inadequate and in breach of the statutory requirements.

• Leaders lack the skills and determination to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.

• Trustees and governors have not challenged leaders to make the necessary improvements.

The independent day school, which operates on five sites in a small area of Stamford Hill, charges £10,000 a year for early-years children but is free to older children.

It was judged to be inadequate at its last two inspections in 2014 and 2017.

Strengths noted however were that:

• The religious studies curriculum encourages pupils’ strong moral values and contributes well to their personal development.

• Pupils behave well during lessons. They appear keen to learn, and leaders ensure that pupils study issues such as bullying, road safety and staying healthy.

• Pupils learn about British values. They understand that individuals have the right to their own beliefs and opinions.

The school has been contacted for comment.