24/09/2026
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐
18.09.2026
For Kathryn Levy, King David High is more than just a school โ it is part of her familyโs history.
She attended the school, as did her husband, and her children have been on the campus since they were just nine months old.
They started at the crรจche and have continued through, creating a family connection which stretches across generations.
And now, with KD High receiving a glowing Ofsted report, Kathryn believes the school is in a particularly strong position to offer the education, Jewish values and sense of community she has always sought for her children.
โI came to the school as did my husband and my children have been on the campus since they were about nine months old,โ she said.
โFrom the crรจche, the whole way through, so there is a legacy.โ
Kathryn is one of five parents who have shared their experiences of KD High with the Jewish Telegraph.
They described a school which they believe has made significant improvements in recent years โ while continuing to provide a strong education within a Jewish environment.
For parents who have experienced the school over many years, the changes have been especially noticeable.
โI donโt think it would be a shock for anyone to say that there have been some bumps over the past few years,โ Prestwich-based Kathryn, whose child is in Year 12, told the JT.
โBut in the past couple of years, communication has been better, support for the kids has been better and engagement with the parents, which is really important, has massively improved.โ
For her, that combination of education and Jewish life was always going to be central to the decision about where to send her children.
It is a sentiment echoed by other parents, who believe KD High offers children the opportunity to achieve academically, while growing up surrounded by the values and traditions of their community.
Shelley Bradstock did not attend King David Primary or High schools.
Her husband is from London, while she went to Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School before attending Withington Girlsโ School.
Shelley, who has children in Years Seven and 10, said: โAt the time that we were having kids, not that many people were sending children to the private school, so we didnโt even consider it.โ
But King David became the choice for their family, and Shelley, whose two younger children are in the primary school, is delighted with the experience.
โI think the Jewish side is just as important as the education side, and we have been really happy,โ she said.
For Jackie Yangali, whose twins are in Year Eight, the academic side of KD High is equally important.
โMy children are being as challenged because we have friends that have children in grammar schools, and they are being as challenged as they are in those schools,โ Jackie, of Crumpsall, said.
โFor us, it is mostly the education part, and of course, the Jewish ethos.โ
That balance between high academic expectations and a supportive school community is a key part of what parents say they value.
For Kathryn, the Jewish ethos was a decisive factor when she and her husband were considering secondary schools for their daughters.
They looked at private schools five or six years ago, but ultimately decided that KD High was the right environment.
Kathryn explained: โIn my generation, you would get a real split of boys and girls going to Bury Grammar, Manchester Grammar and Manchester High, but I just didnโt feel the environment was right for them.
โI wanted them to be surrounded by the morals and the values and the ethos that we believe in, and it was a significant factor in our decision-making.โ
Jonathan Watch has four children who have attended KD High, with three having already moved on, and his daughter Chloe having recently started in the sixth-form.
His children all attended Bury and Whitefield.
Jonathan, of Radcliffe, said: โThey all went to Bury and Whitefield, above King David Primary, because it was convenient and closer to home.โ
Jonathan has witnessed the changes at KD High over recent years, and believes the school is now in a much stronger position.
โThings have chan- ged over the last few years and changed for the better,โ he added.
โThere has been a whole shake-up, which was needed.โ
โ(Headteacher Tracy) Mrs Basger is absolutely absolutely fabulous.
โI have had some issues with my daughter and (deputy headteacher Paula) Mrs Watson has been amazing. I cannot speak highly enough of her.โ
One of the most significant changes identified by Jonathan is the way the school communicates with parents.
He continued: โThe biggest thing is communication from the school and the way it is dealing with a particular situation, or maybe even if a problem were to arise,โ he said.
โPreviously, it was quite regimented and just not as warm.
โYou are sending in your child five days a week, but it felt quite corporate. Under this new management, it seems lot friendlier.
โI am more than happy that my childโs here, and I know that, God forbid there was a problem, I am happy and confident that the school would now deal with it properly, where previously, I would be a little bit wary.โ
Kathryn has noticed similar improvements in the way the school is organised and how parents are able to raise concerns.
She believes the structure of the leadership is now much clearer.
โThe structure of the leadership is clearly defined,โ she said.
โHistorically roles used to cross over, and youโd go to a teacher, and theyโre like, โwell, itโs not really for meโ and with the introduction of having Paula, even if youโre unsure, you can go to her and she will say โthis is who you need to speak toโ.โ
That sense of reassurance is also reflected in the experiences of parents whose children have needed additional support.
Jakki Friedman has had a different journey through KD.
Her son Leo has now gone to college, having attended both the primary and high schools.
He is autistic and Jakki said KD High played an important role in helping him through the challenges he faced.
โThey were unbelievable in helping Leo with all of his struggles,โ she recalled.
โHe has had really hard days and they helped him through everything.
โMy daughter is at KD High and she loves it. She is really happy and she is getting a good education.โ
For families, knowing that their children are seen as individuals and that help is available when needed is a major part of a successful school experience.
And Shelley said her children have also benefited from the opportunities available outside the classroom.
While she has not had to deal with many significant well-being issues, she is full of praise for the schoolโs extracurricular activities and its ability to encourage pupils to discover their interests.
Her son took part in the school play last year, an experience which she believes helped him grow in confidence.
Shelley, of Whitefield, said: โHe loved it, and heโs not maybe the most natural performer that you can think of, but it was fantastic.
โThey really encouraged him and nurtured him.
โThey have accommodated his GCSE subjects, so that he is able to do all the ones that he wants to do, even with an extra one, so all of that side is really important for us.โ
Across the interviews, the parents describe a school which they believe has retained its core values, while improving the experience for pupils and families.
For Kathryn, the changes are especially meaningful as the school now offers the combination she has always wanted.
For Jonathan, the schoolโs progress has left him confident about his daughterโs future there.
For Jakki, the support given to Leo and the happiness of her daughter are evidence of a school which cares about its pupils.
And for Shelley and Jackie, the academic opportunities and Jewish ethos remain central to their satisfaction.
The recent Ofsted report has provided a welcome endorsement for a school whose parents believe it is moving in the right direction.
Jonathanโs assessment perhaps sums up the mood among the families best.
โIt feels like a new King David,โ he said.
And for parents looking for a school which combines education, Jewish identity, pastoral support and a strong sense of community, it a change they will be delighted to see.
