For Norma Massel, who propelled North Cheshire Jewish Primary School to the top of the English league tables out of more than 16,000 primary schools, success was about something more than academic excellence alone. Nor was it about status. As her son, Darren explained: “They were quiet affirmations that the values she believed in — discipline, care, faith and high expectations — truly mattered.”
Massel, who has died aged 77 after a long illness, saw the school, which she headed from 1999 to 2008, ranked first and second nationally in the early 2000s for the proportion of pupils achieving Level 5 in English, maths, and science. This was quoted as “a level normally expected of children several years older”. She was also head of Jewish studies, in which role she set about building confident, capable children grounded in Jewish values, identity and responsibility. The results simply followed.
Her school’s educational prowess won extensive media coverage. It featured consistently in national league tables and in mainstream newspapers, including The Independent and The Times. A 2003 article in The Independent described the exceptional achievement of its pupils. It specifically quoted Massel on the role of ethos, curriculum, and leadership, whose dedication and vision proved legendary.
In a eulogy at her funeral, her son Julian Massel said : “Norma Massel lived a life defined by purpose, courage, and an unwavering commitment to Jewish values, education, and family. Most of us know Norma as a formidable leader in Jewish education, an expert headteacher, a mentor, and a role model. Yet, in her own words, her story did not begin with perfection or convention.”
Born in Leeds to Evelyn and David West — who anglicised their name from Weiss — the family moved to St Annes when she was 16. As a teenager, she enjoyed sport, excelling in athletics, netball, hockey and gymnastics.
Despite doing well academically with a passion for literature, Norma would often admit with honesty and humour, “Like most young people, I was more interested in socialising and having a good time than education.” She loved life. As a teenager, she enjoyed sport, excelling in athletics, netball, hockey, and gymnastics, and she embraced fun with the same energy ….
Julian’s brother Darren told the Jewish Telegraph: “Family legend tells of her climbing out of her bedroom window, without her parents’ knowledge, to go to Jewish dances and even to see The Beatles play live.
“It always raises a smile, but it also tells us that mum was independent, spirited and unafraid to follow her convictions.” But he explained that – she “felt a deep and instinctive connection to Judaism, Jewish roots, and Jewish values — despite not having a strong Jewish education or obvious cultural role models in her childhood”. That inner pull mattered to her. She listened to it. She acted on it.”
Massel studied Hebrew at Leeds Talmud Torah, where she embraced Jewish practice and kashrut. “It was a decision that made a profound and lasting difference to her life,” Darren recalled. “She went on to learn key Jewish prayers and rituals, consciously building a Jewish life step by step.”
However, although she experienced difficulties in maintaining her faith at teacher training college, the challenge tended to intensify her religious commitment. Joining Chabad Lubavitch in Manchester, strengthened her determination to keep Shabbat, deepen her observance, and firmly root her life in Torah values. After completing her teacher training, she lived with her much admired brother Martin , taking strength from his wise counsel.
Massel’s professional life was devoted to education, but retained Jewish values at its core. She began teaching in Bradford, West Yorkshire, then at Ribble Drive Primary School, Prestwich, before becoming a teacher at North Cheshire in the late 1970s. After earlier leadership roles, she became Headteacher of Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School, serving for nine years. Under her leadership, the school flourished, built on trust, high expectations, and strong relationships between pupils, parents, staff, and governors. She joined North Cheshire Jewish Primary School in 1999 and remained until 2008, where she also headed Jewish studies. She resumed the headship of Bury and Whitefield again from 2009-10.,
.She married Manchester kosher butcher Murray Massel in 1971 at the St Annes Hebrew Congregation. He shared her values of a life grounded in Jewish community and tradition. Norma would later say: “Getting married and having children was the best thing that happened to me.” Together they raised their three children Shelley, Julian, and Darren, building a warm, principled Jewish home.
Darren said: “Mum consistently credited success not to pressure or shortcuts, but to clarity of values. “She spoke of the school as a cohesive Jewish community, united by shared expectations, strong parental support and a rich curriculum that gave children the confidence to tackle challenges in every walk of life.”
It was not long before Massel’s character and achievements began to receive recognition in high places. She was invited to meet the late Queen Elizabeth 11 and the former Prince Charles at a royal event celebrating outstanding service to education.
Massel also worked as a support teacher at Delamere Forest, the Jewish residential school in Cheshire — focused on children with special educational needs. Between 2014 and 2015, she served as a trustee of JSENSE, a Salford-based charity which supports Jewish children and young people with special educational needs. That role “reflected everything mum believed in — inclusion, dignity and the absolute conviction that no child should be left behind,” Darren continued. “Even away from the spotlight, she continued advocating for children who needed patience, understanding and belief.
“What mattered deeply to her was not just raising children, but raising children who grew into interesting adults, people with strong opinions, ambition, curiosity, and a willingness to think for themselves while caring about others. Mum enjoyed Friday night debates with her family, interested in others’ opinions and firm in her own beliefs.”
Success came from clarity of values, in her view, rather than pressure or shortcuts. She spoke of the school as a cohesive Jewish community, united by shared expectations, strong parental support and a rich curriculum that gave children the confidence to tackle challenges in every walk of life.
Enlarging on these values at her funeral, Julian explained; “Norma believed passionately that it was possible to be a powerful female leader, deeply committed to career and ambition, whilst also placing value on raising her family and maintaining a Jewish home. “She wanted her children to grow into independent, thoughtful people, who cared for one another and for wider humanity, and who reached their full potential.
“Those values now echo across the generations. Norma was the proud grandmother of 17 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother six great-grandchildren. She planted seeds of Jewish identity, resilience, and commitment that have taken root in both Israel and Manchester, touching not just her own family, but thousands of Jewish children through education.”
Long before her own health failed, due to liver disease and cancer, Norma Massel had devoted years to caring for her beloved husband Murray until his death in 2007, to her mother in her final years, and travelled regularly to North Manchester to support her sister in law. “She was a woman of action and principle,” said Julian. “A leader who demanded excellence, but also kindness. Someone who believed that family and community mattered, that education could transform lives, and that Judaism was something to be lived every day.”
Norma Massel is survived by her children, Shelley Golding, in Israel, Julian and Darren Massel, brother Martin Massel, 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her husband Murray predeceased her in 2007.
GLORIA TESSLER
Norma Massel: born May 19, 1948. Died February 13, 2026
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