Countdown’s Rachel Riley helped Rimon Jewish Primary in Golders Green raise £95,000 from a dinner attended by parents, grandparents, staff and other supporters.

The money raised was important as Rimon has suffered a 10 per cent cut in government funding while having to meet an eight per cent rise in staff costs.

Interviewed by Glamour magazine editor Deborah Joseph – a Rimon parent of three – Ms Riley spoke of her experiences of fighting antisemitism, her efforts to encourage more girls to continue their education in Stem subjects and life on the Countdown set.

There was also a performance from the Rimon choir and a rendition of Castle on a Cloud from a pupil who is currently appearing as Cosette in Les Misérables in the West End.

Rimon head Sara Keen said that in seven years, pupil numbers had grown  “from just 12 children to nearly 200. We have built and nurtured a fabulous staff team and have developed a secular and kodesh curriculum with clear intent, vision and purpose.

“Children are inspired to be the best that they can and to understand the importance of understanding diversity, challenging prejudice as well as understanding their own social responsibility, all within an Orthodox Jewish framework.

“Unfortunately, our fantastic school development is now under real threat of being stopped in its tracks, since government funding no longer covers our basic costs. Without help, we will be forced to cut back our recognised excellent provision to a bare, minimum standard, devoid of the richness, passion, aspiration and inspiration that our children deserve.”