FS has taken a step nearer to becoming part of the United Synagogue-run Jewish Community Academy Trust.

The local Regional Schools Commissioner has confirmed JCAT as the preferred sponsor in principle for the country’s largest Jewish school.

JFS is currently a voluntary-aided school but now has no option other than to become part of a multi-academy trust after receiving an inadequate rating from Ofsted and being put into special measures in the summer.

As an academy, it would get funding directly from a state agency rather than through the local council.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to approve its adoption by JCAT will be taken by an advisory board of the Department for Education next month.

After that, there will be a consultation on what form support from JCAT will take.

JCAT is the obvious sponsor since the United Synagogue is also the religious authority of JFS.

The academy trust currently operates as a consortium of four primary schools — Rimon, Sacks Morasha, Hertsmere Jewish Day and Wolfson Hillel. If JFS were to join, that would more than double the number of pupils under its umbrella.