Named and shamed

The Charity Commission has listed the Salford-based Jewish High School for Girls as one of five large charities which have "persistently failed" to provide accounts and other information.

The Jewish High School Trust originally came into being in 1962. It declares the charity's objective is the "advancement of education at the school conducted according to laws, rules and requirements of the Schulcham Aruch as interpreted by the Rabbinical Authority, supporters of the school.

This week, the Charity Commission disclosed the high school's accounts for the financial year September 1998 to August 1999, together with those for the corresponding period between 1999 and 2000, are "overdue".

The charity, although based at the school in Salford, also operates in a number of Greater Manchester locations including Bury, Prestwich and Whitefield.

Defending its decision to name the school, the Charity Commission stress the action is part of its ongoing programme to ensure all charities meet their legal obligations and to encourage openness and accountability.

Persistent failure to provide statutory information to the Commission is punishable with a maximum £2,500 fine.

Jewish High School for Girls directed press inquiries to one of their governors. But due to a bereavement, he has had to travel to Israel and was unavailable for comment.