Two Orthodox schools are ‘unsatisfactory’: Community brands Ofsted ‘high-Handed’

Two Orthodox schools in north London have been graded as “unsatisfactory” by Ofsted, with community leaders branding the national inspectorate “high-handed”. 

The downgrading was a spectacular fall from grace for Talmud Torah Tiferes Shlomoh in Golders Green, an independent Jewish school for boys aged 3-15 years, which was listed as “good” in 2007. In addition Yetev Lev, a Satmar school, was also branded “inadequate”. 

The National Association of Orthodox Jewish Schools said: “We are very concerned about the high-handed approach of Ofsted in relation to their inspection of strictly orthodox schools, especially independent schools.” 

Poor grades mean several other Orthodox schools are in crisis. Beis Yaakov High School for Girls in Salford was among those graded “unsatisfactory” last year, after inspectors’ concern at pupils’ lack of ability in English, while Stamford Hill school Talmud Torah Chaim Meirim Wiznitz is reportedly fighting a closure order.