A Chasidic school in Stamford Hill whose secondary age pupils did not know Britain fought in the Second World War has been rated inadequate by Ofsted for the third time in four years.

Talmud Torah Toldos Yakov Yosef, an independent boys’ school taking pupils from two to 13, did not provide “a well-rounded education”, inspectors reported.

Most of the day was spent on Jewish studies. Teaching of secular subjects was “weak”.

Pupils did not learn to read and write English until year 2 and did not take books home to read. Older pupils struggled to read fluently.

While progress in maths was better, the boys’ knowledge of history, science and geography was “limited”.

Knowing “random bits of information”, year 8 pupils could “give some facts about the Maginot Line but do not know Britain’s involvement in the Second World War”.

Their knowledge of other religions was confined to knowing only the names of the religions.

Ofsted said that pupils enjoyed lessons and wanted to learn — and those with special needs received help from specifically trained staff.

Meanwhile, Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman paid a visit on Monday to JTrade, the property and construction expo set up by Stamford Hill entrepreneur Ari Feferkorn.

Mrs Spielman said it was “a unique event that brings together a broad mix of businesses. It was terrific to see the energy, enterprise and strength of community at the show.”