The Department for Education has rejected a merger between Moriah Jewish Day School in Pinner and Hertsmere Jewish Primary in Radlett but approved year-six students from Moriah joining HJPS as a bulge class in autumn.

The Jewish Communty Academy Trust, which runs both schools, had proposed the plan, which would have increased HJPS from two entry forms to three, because of falling rolls at Moriah.

JCAT chief executive Kirsten Jowett sait the DfE was sympathetic to the scheme but required an inspection of HJPS. “We always knew the application was a risk as a merger request can normally only be made with a school that is good or better,” she said.

“Unfortunately at the time Moriah was judged RI [requires inspection] and HJPS Inadequate. Therefore we were told we had to wait until we were good or better and this was not possible while Ofsted is suspended due to Covid.”

As well as the extra year-six from Moriah, years three to five will at HJPS will be split into three classes of 23 to 25 pupils to accommodate the new arrivals from the Pinner school.

A couple of children from Moriah will be joining years one and two.

Parents were told that the nursery and reception were full.

A music, an Ivrit and a Jewish studies teacher have been recruited as additional staff.