Hasmonean High School for Girls has been graded as good with outstanding features in its first inspection as a stand-alone school.

Headteacher Kate Brice said the “warmth and achievement of the school shines through” its Ofsted report.

“While we know that there is no room for complacency and that that we have clear areas for development,” she added, “this is a wonderful commendation of the hard work, dedication and commitment of the whole Hasmonean community working together for the benefit of our students.”

Andrew McClusky, chief executive of the Multi-Academy Trust, welcomed “a glowing report”, while the trust’s chairman Gary Swabel and the school’s chair of governors Steven Blumgart Sid they were “delighted Ofsted have recognised the school’s wonderful work.”

The Orthodox school in Mill Hill was last inspected in 2012 when it was part of a single school with the boys’ division, before they formally split in 2019 to comply with equality rules. The joint school was then rated outstanding but under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which came into force after lockdown, it became harder for schools to hold on to the top ranking.

Hasmonean Girls was judged to be outstanding in two out of five areas - for personal development of pupils and for its sixth form.

Pupils were typically “ambitious and keen to do well” with positive attitudes to learning, inspectors said.

New arrivals to the "Hasmonean family" were warmly welcomed, Ofsted said. Girls knew how to stay safe online and in the wider world, formed strong friendship groups and believed in giving back to the community, with many volunteering in primary schools, care homes or elsewhere.

Teachers made helpful adaptations to lessons, which helped children with special needs to achieve well.

Ofsted noted the school’s “aspirational careers programme” and an “exceptional offer beyond the academic”.

Pupils learned “about the importance of topics such as mental wellbeing and consent in an age-appropriate manner,” Ofsted said.

They had "a strong understanding of British values, particularly respect and tolerance. They enjoy learning about other religions. The school hosted a visit for pupils from a local school on Holocaust Memorial Day.”