EDUCATION Secretary Nicky Morgan congratulated teachers on the approval of Yavneh Primary School during a visit.

The Conservative MP visited Yavneh College, in Hillside Avenue, Borehamwood, where she watched science, history and Hebrew classes in action.

She was given a tour of the school by headteacher Spencer Lewis and was joined by Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden.

Yavneh Primary School was granted approval under the government’s free school programem earlier this month and will be opening in September 2016.

Ms Morgan said: ““I think it’s a fantastic school and I was keen to come here anyway and obviously it ties in very well with the recent announcement of the new Yavneh Primary School which is going to be established.

“One of the reasons for opening Yavneh primary school is the demand in the local community and MP Oliver Dowden did a fantastic job of making that case on behalf of the school.”

The new primary school is in response to the growing demand for primary places in the community.

She added: “We are very much in favour of all good schools being able to expand but the important thing about the free school program and new schools we see, are a response to parental and community demand.

“We look at all applications very carefully and it’s about providing excellent school places which I know Yavneh Primary school are going to do and we will continue to look at all applications for free schools, news schools on that basis.”

Ms Morgan also praised the high standards of Yavneh College and the other local schools which work together in the community.

She added: “The exciting thing we see in our education system is we see good schools supporting other local schools and there’s a lot more collaboration within the education system.

“We see really talented heads and teachers going out working with other schools and I think there’s a lot more sharing of really good practice as well so again we see it’s excellent schools.”

Head teacher, Spencer Lewis said: “We were delighted and honoured to have the secretary of state here she’s been extremely supportive in our attempts to open a primary school which we are very pleased to have been given permission to do.

“Yavneh college is extremely successful and it’s a lovely opportunity to show that off and to be proud of the students and their achievements.

“Having education for ‘all through’ schools for 18 year olds is tremendously exciting. It will give the high school students a sense of responsibility as role models.

“It will also give the younger children something to aspire to and we’ll be able to continue our very high standards right across the age range.”