Lack of LGBT teaching threatens Stamford Hill school's expansion plans

According to government guidance for relationships and sex education, pupils are supposed to receive some information about LGBT people before the end of their secondary school career. The guidelines notionally give schools discretion about when this is age appropriate. 

Ultimately, it is up to the Department for Education to decide whether to approve the expansion of the school. 

But the DfE has followed the advice of Ofsted, which inspected the school a few weeks ago.

In a statement, the DfE said, “We have considered Ofsted’s findings that Talmud Torah school’s proposed expansion would lead to the school being unlikely to meet the relevant independent school standards, and have written to the school to notify it of our decision not to currently grant permission for expansion."

TTL,  was entitled to appeal against that decision within 28 days, the DfE added, or apply again "under the material change process" (when a school, for instance, applies for permission to expand).

In its latest inspection report, Ofsted noted that the school offered a suitable curriculum and a strong culture of safeguarding and leaders had “credible and ambitious plans” for its development. 

There was more joy for Ateres Beis Yaakov, an independent girls’ primary which is due to open next month in Hendon. It was likely to meet all independent schools standards, an inspection report said.

Ofsted said it promised a “rich and exciting curriculum”, noting that pupils would be learning about Nelson Mandela and black history and about festivals in other cultures including the Chinese New Year.