Jewish primary’s leadership rated ‘outstanding’ by religious education inspectors

The leadership at at an Orthodox primary school in north-west London has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Pikuach, the inspection service used by Jewish schools for religious education.

It’s the first review in eight years for Hasmonean Primary in Hendon, which has over 200 students.

Pikuach officials found the school has, “an acute knowledge and understanding of both the school’s strengths and areas requiring improvement.”

The quality of Jewish education, personal and spiritual development and overall effectiveness were all ranked as ‘good’.

Overall, the school was praised for its “warm and caring environment” which delivers “a holistic Jewish education… provided by a team of enthusiastic Kodesh teachers under the leadership of an outstanding Head of Kodesh”.

Dan Sacker, chair of governors praised the “impressive steps that have been taken since the appointments of Rabbi Silkoff as Head of Kodesh in 2019 and Mrs Gross as Head Teacher in January 2022.”

Rabbi Mark Silkoff, head of kodesh, said he was delighted that “the significant work that has been done since the last Pikuach report, especially around curriculum development and the moral focus of our teaching, has been recognised by inspectors”.