Pardes House Grammar School
Pardes House Grammar School (URN: 101385) is an independent Orthodox Jewish secondary school for boys aged 11 to 16 on Hendon Lane, Finchley, in the London Borough of Barnet. The Department for Education records that it opened on 21 May 1976, with 275 pupils on roll against a capacity of 300.[1] It shares its address with Pardes House Primary School.[2]
- Address Hendon Lane, Finchley, London, N3 1SA
- Headteacher/Principal Rabbi Yitzchok Lev
- Proprietor's name Michael Lisser
History and curriculum
In 2011 Ofsted reported a growing number of A-level subjects taken by boys in Years 10 and 11. These included "Biblical Hebrew, economics, government and politics, law and Modern Hebrew".[3] In 2024 it said: "Pupils typically leave the school at the end of Year 10 and move on to study at a yeshiva." It reported that the school had changed its registration to ages 11 to 16 because it had decided not to admit pupils of primary age. It named Michael Lisser as proprietor and said fees were a voluntary contribution.[4]
Inspections
Ofsted judged the school good in 2014 and 2018 and inadequate in May 2022.[5][6][7] In July 2024 it judged that the school required improvement.[4] At a report-card inspection on 28 April 2026 it graded personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance, as needing attention, and attendance and behaviour as a strong standard. It found that some independent school standards were not met. It said that the school's provision "does not include learning about all the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010".[8]
Inspection history
| Date | Inspectorate and type | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 28 April 2026 | Ofsted, standard inspection | Report card: strong standard for attendance and behaviour; expected standard for inclusion, curriculum and teaching, and achievement; needs attention for personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance; safeguarding standards met; some independent school standards not met[8] |
| 2 to 4 July 2024 | Ofsted, standard inspection | Requires improvement[4] |
| 17 May 2023 | Ofsted, additional (progress monitoring) inspection | Not all independent school standards checked were met[9] |
| 10 to 12 May 2022 | Ofsted, standard inspection | Inadequate[7] |
| 14 September 2021 | Ofsted, material change inspection | Meets the standards relevant to the change[10] |
| 6–8 February 2018 | Ofsted, standard inspection | Good[6] |
| 12 November 2014 | Ofsted, standard inspection | Good[5] |
| 24 January 2011 | Ofsted, light-touch inspection | Light-touch inspection[3] |
| 13 February 2008 | Ofsted, standard inspection | [11] |
The full list of reports is published by Ofsted.[12]
Charity and company
PHGS Foundation Ltd (charity number 1201175; company number 13121519) was registered with the Charity Commission on 28 November 2022. It describes its activities as: "The advance of Orthodox Jewish religion and advanced education by the provision of a day school for boys known as Pardes House Grammar School and by ancillary or incidental educational or religious activities and other associated activities for the benefit of the community." In the financial year to 31 August 2025 it reported income of £3,201,179 and spending of £1,983,144, compared with £209,964 in the year to 31 August 2023. Its annual return for that year recorded £75,030 from government grants (1 grant) and £99,453 from government contracts. It reported 50 employees. It made grants to institutions of £98,500. The trustees listed on the register are Rabbi Yehudah Halpern (appointed 8 January 2021).[13][14]
The company (company number 13121519) was incorporated on 8 January 2021.[15] Its current director is Yehudah Halpern (appointed 5 June 2022).[16] Companies House lists Yehudah Halpern (25–50% of voting rights, the right to appoint and remove directors) as a person with significant control.[17]
See also
Funding
Resources
Notes
- ↑ Department for Education, Pardes House Grammar School (URN 101385), Get Information about Schools, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Department for Education, Pardes House Primary School (URN 133364), Get Information about Schools, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 24 January 2011, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 2 to 4 July 2024, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 12 November 2014, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 6–8 February 2018, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 10 to 12 May 2022, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 28 April 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 17 May 2023, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 14 September 2021, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School: inspection report, inspection of 13 February 2008, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ofsted, Pardes House Grammar School (URN 101385), Ofsted reports, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission, PHGS FOUNDATION LTD - 1201175, Register of Charities, register data extract of 13 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission, PHGS FOUNDATION LTD - 1201175: Trustees, Register of Charities, register data extract of 13 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, PHGS FOUNDATION LTD (13121519): Company overview, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, PHGS FOUNDATION LTD (13121519): People, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, PHGS FOUNDATION LTD (13121519): Persons with significant control, accessed 1 November 2026.