Matthew was delighted to attend the annual Etz Chaim Year Six Leavers event at the school in Mill Hill.

Accompanied by Lord Levy and Rabbi Schochet, Matthew spoke to the pupils to tell them that the name of the school - Etz Chaim, meaning the tree of life - represented the roots of their education for the next stage of their academic career. Every member of Year 6 spoke to thank the school, along with their teachers, for all the opportunities they have given to them. 

The occasion, however, was tinged with some sadness as popular head teacher Mrs Yvonne Baron is leaving the school at the end of term. 

Matthew said: "I am so proud of the parents, teachers and pupils at Etz Chaim school. It reminds me of my own primary school and is shaping young people to go forward into the world.

"As one of the Conservative Government's first Free Schools, the school is now well established thanks to Yvonne, the teachers and governors in Barnet's family of schools."