Hasmonean High School for Boys has turned offices into classrooms on its cramped Hendon site to accommodate growing numbers. The school accepted just over 120 boys into year 7 this year — considerably more than the 75 places available according to its entry policy.

Offices were converted over summer and the administration hub moved to Hasmonean girls’ school in Mill Hill.

Five years ago Barnet Council narrowly approved a plan to relocate the boys’ school next to the girls but it was blocked by the Mayor of London over concerns about the use of green belt land.

Andrew McClusky, chief executive of the Hasmonean Multi-Academy Trust, said, “We continue to work on plans for a new building.”