Yavneh College in Borehamwood is to offer a bulge class next September, increasing year-7 places from 150 to 180.

Trustees of the heavily oversubscribed college — which was the top Jewish state school for academic progress up to GCSE this year — said they had taken the decision to add extra places because of high demand.

Executive headteacher Spencer Lewis said, “We have made this decision as early as possible to provide extra comfort to parents who may have concerns about year 7 places and we are delighted to be able to do it.”

Applications for secondary schools for 2023 closed at the end of last month.

Yavneh opened a bulge class for this academic year, as did JCoSS in East Barnet, which increased its maximum intake from 180 to 210. Hasmonean High School for Boys accepted 120 pupils, far more than its official maximum of 75.

Projections from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, produced before this year, predicted a drop in overall demand for London Jewish state schools outside the Charedi sector from a peak in 2021.

London Jewish school places projection

Figures from the Institute of Jewish Policy Research - produced before this year - predicted a drop in overall demand for London Jewish state schools