A small strictly Orthodox girls’ primary school has been told by Ofsted that it requires improvement.

Pupils at Peninim, an independent school in Hendon, did not write routinely at length in English and other subjects and attendance was below average, inspectors reported.

But the behaviour of the 39 pupils and early years’ provision was good.

The curriculum was broad and balanced and Jewish studies, delivered in Yiddish, were “particularly strong”. British values were well promoted.

Elsewhere, Ofsted has reported improvements in a return visit to Talmud Torah Tiferes Shlomoh, an independent Chasidic school in Hendon teaching boys up to the age of 15. But inspectors found a lack of science and technology and no discussion of equality issues relating to sexuality and gender.