Communities Secretary Eric Pickles expressed admiration for UK Jewry's "Jewish values and British values" when he visited Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls' School in Stamford Hill.

Principal Rabbi Abraham Pinter and headteacher Rivky Weinberg joined other community representatives in a round table discussion with the minister, who then took a tour of the school.

Dropping in on a citizenship class, Mr Pickles took part in a discussion about his recent letter to the Muslim Council of Britain asking it to "explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity" - and the ensuing public row.

He praised the behaviour of pupils and the school's warm and happy atmosphere. "Incredibly impressed" by what he had seen, he said his visit had also been intended "to reassure the community that the government will continue to do all it can to ensure that Jewish life flourishes safely in our country".

Officially opened by Tony Blair in 2005, the 350-pupil Yesodey Hatorah is the first state-aided secondary school for the Charedi community in north London.