Former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly stressed the value of faith schools when addressing a dinner in aid of Edgware Jewish Primary at the Marriott Swiss Cottage on Monday.

Before an audience of 250, Mrs Kelly expressed fond recollections of a visit to the school, which she said was led by an exceptional team. Pupils were imbued with a love of Judaism and of secular studies.

“Many people are quick to write off faith schools, yet the Judeo-Christian values taught in faith schools are precisely what underpins all of Western society,” she added.

The dinner raised £140,000 for the school, which opened in 2006 with 39 pupils. At full capacity in 2012, it will educate 240 children.

It caters to families with “a commitment to living Orthodox Judaism, a love for Israel and a desire for their children to achieve academic excellence”.