The Department for Education has refused permission for a Stamford Hill primary  to increase its age range because it will not talk about LGBT people to pupils. 

Talmud Torah London, an independent boys’ primary, is rated good by Ofsted and has previously received permission from the authorities to expand its numbers. 

The school, whose new headmaster is Eli Spitzer, wants approval to add classes for secondary age pupils of 12 and 13. 

But Ofsted says it would be unlikely to meet independent school standards on equality as leaders had confirmed since the inspection that the school had “no intention of ever referencing those who identity as lesbian, gay and transgender” as part of personal, social and health education or relationships education. 

According to government guidance for relationships and sex education, pupils are supposed to receive some information about LGBT people before the end of their secondary school career. The guidelines notionally give schools discretion about when this is age appropriate. 

Ultimately, it is up to the Department for Education to decide whether to approve the expansion of the school. 

But the DfE has followed the advice of Ofsted, which inspected the school a few weeks ago.

In a statement, the DfE said, “We have considered Ofsted’s findings that Talmud Torah school’s proposed expansion would lead to the school being unlikely to meet the relevant independent school standards, and have written to the school to notify it of our decision not to currently grant permission for expansion."

TTL,  was entitled to appeal against that decision within 28 days, the DfE added, or apply again "under the material change process" (when a school, for instance, applies for permission to expand).

In its latest inspection report, Ofsted noted that the school offered a suitable curriculum and a strong culture of safeguarding and leaders had “credible and ambitious plans” for its development. 

There was more joy for Ateres Beis Yaakov, an independent girls’ primary which is due to open next month in Hendon. It was likely to meet all independent schools standards, an inspection report said.

Ofsted said it promised a “rich and exciting curriculum”, noting that pupils would be learning about Nelson Mandela and black history and about festivals in other cultures including the Chinese New Year.