Ofsted has recommended that the Menorah Grammar School in Edgware be allowed to take more pupils, after finding the school was exceeding its official maximum.

The strictly Orthodox boys' school had two more pupils than its registered limit of 285 but could “comfortably accommodate” 290, the inspectorate said following an emergency inspection.

It also recommended an increase in the age limit from 18 to 21, reporting that there were two pupils over the age of 18 with special needs or disabilities who had been placed at the school by local authorities.

Ofsted said Menorah, which is rated good, met independent school requirements on curriculum, safeguarding, premises and British values.

Pupils were “actively taught to respect the protected characteristics” in the Equality Act.

Protected characteristics include sexual orientation and gender reassignment.