Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell has pledged Labour’s support for Jewish schools in a meeting with the Board of Deputies.

The MP met the Board’s vice president Sheila Gewolb, chief executive Gillian Merron and education policy and projects manager Sara Perlmutter on Tuesday to discuss faith schools, security provisions, the future of Hebrew being taught in schools and ways to maintain high standards in religious education.

Ms Powell said: “I was glad to meet the Board of Deputies to talk about how we can work together to promote understanding and educational excellence in all schools and ensure a broad and balanced curriculum, which equips all our young people with the skills and strengths to succeed.

“Jewish schools, like other schools, form an important part of the State’s provision and Labour will continue its support for them and for their security, alongside our commitment to heritage languages, including Hebrew, and high-quality RE to ensure better understanding and community cohesion.

“I look forward to continuing my discussions with the Board of Deputies in the future and welcome the opportunity of a visit to a Jewish school.”

Ms Gewolb said the shadow education secretary had been “engaged and sympathetic” during their discussion.

She added: “We look forward to having a close relationship with Ms Powell in her new role. We have invited her to visit a Jewish school and look forward to organising that in the near future.”