Ofsted plaudits for ‘happy’ Menorah Foundation

Significant changes in leadership have brought improvements at Menorah Foundation School in Edgware, according to Ofsted.

The Orthodox primary was rated outstanding for personal development, and good in all other areas in its first inspection since 2019.

State-aided schools no longer receive an overall grade at inspections.

Menorah was “a happy school at the heart of its community” whose values of being ready, respectful and safe were promoted each day, by all staff, “encouraging a positive and inclusive ethos. This helps to ensure that pupils typically behave well in their classrooms and around the school.”

Pupils generally achieved well, with high outcomes in national assessments were high.

“There have been significant changes in leadership of the school which are bringing about improvements,” Ofsted reported, noting the introduction of a new curriculum.

A happy school: Menorah Foundation in Edgware[Missing Credit]

Provision for personal development was “exceptional. The curriculum helps pupils develop an understanding of personal safety, online awareness and healthy relationships. Fundamental British values are actively promoted, and pupils talk confidently about these.”

Discussions and debates were “meticulously thought through and interwoven across both secular and Jewish studies”.

Inspectors said there were occasional inconsistencies in the delivery of some subjects.

Menorah Foundation pupils visiting Symdar Lodge Care Home in Barnet[Missing Credit]

Praise came too for another state-aided Orthodox primary in Barnet, Beis Yaakov in Colindale, which received an ungraded inspection – it was rated good in 2019.

Girls flourished in “this vibrant and ambitious school community” and rose to “the high expectations set for them, inspectors reported.

It was “a school where pupils feel valued, challenged, and well-prepared for their next steps”, Ofsted said.