JCoSS
Encyclopedia
JCoSS is a state-funded Jewish secondary school
in New Barnet
, London
. Established in 2010, it is the first Jewish cross-denominational secondary school in the UK. It was established after a mother observed that while her son had gone to JFS (Jewish Free School), many of his friends had not been able to attend because of oversubscription and halachic
requirements, and initiated in 2001 the ultimately successful proposal for a new British faith school
. Construction of the school began in April 2009.
JCoSS is opening a year at a time, with up to 180 students joining Year 7 each year until 2017, when the school will have about 1310 students. Its sixth form is scheduled to open in 2012. The school has specialist status
in science. The school cost £50 million to build, £36 million of which was funded by the government, and is the most expensive state-funded secondary school to be built in the UK. The headteacher is Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, who was appointed in 2009. Gerald Ronson
, a business tycoon and philanthropist, helped in the fundraising drive and is the president of the JCoSS Trust. The Pears Special Resource Provision (PSRP) at the school has places for up to 50 children (seven places each year) with autistic spectrum disorders. Norwood
, a Jewish charity, is providing some of the services at the PSRP.
Before the school opened, several Orthodox
rabbis expressed concern over JCoSS's compatibility with their faith. At the construction ceremony, Ed Balls
, who at the time was schools secretary
, said the school would play an important role in dealing with discrimination and prejudice.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in New Barnet
New Barnet
New Barnet is an area within the London Borough of Barnet. It is a largely residential North London suburb, close to the M25, A1 and M1.-History:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Established in 2010, it is the first Jewish cross-denominational secondary school in the UK. It was established after a mother observed that while her son had gone to JFS (Jewish Free School), many of his friends had not been able to attend because of oversubscription and halachic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
requirements, and initiated in 2001 the ultimately successful proposal for a new British faith school
Faith school
A faith school is a British school teaching a general curriculum but with a particular religious character or has formal links with a religious organisation. It is distinct from an institution mainly or wholly teaching religion and related subjects...
. Construction of the school began in April 2009.
JCoSS is opening a year at a time, with up to 180 students joining Year 7 each year until 2017, when the school will have about 1310 students. Its sixth form is scheduled to open in 2012. The school has specialist status
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
in science. The school cost £50 million to build, £36 million of which was funded by the government, and is the most expensive state-funded secondary school to be built in the UK. The headteacher is Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, who was appointed in 2009. Gerald Ronson
Gerald Ronson
Gerald Maurice Ronson is a British business tycoon and philanthropist.-Career:Aged 15, Ronson left school and joined his father in the family furniture business, named Heron after his father Henry. The company expanded into other activities; in the mid-1960s Ronson brought the first self-service...
, a business tycoon and philanthropist, helped in the fundraising drive and is the president of the JCoSS Trust. The Pears Special Resource Provision (PSRP) at the school has places for up to 50 children (seven places each year) with autistic spectrum disorders. Norwood
Norwood (charity)
Norwood is a UK charity established in 1785 in the East End of London.In 1996, it merged with Ravenswood, a Berkshire-based charity for people with learning disabilities, to create one of the largest welfare organisations within the Jewish community....
, a Jewish charity, is providing some of the services at the PSRP.
Before the school opened, several Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
rabbis expressed concern over JCoSS's compatibility with their faith. At the construction ceremony, Ed Balls
Ed Balls
Edward Michael Balls, known as Ed Balls, is a British Labour politician, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, currently for Morley and Outwood, and is the current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer....
, who at the time was schools secretary
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families is a Cabinet minister in the United Kingdom. The post was created on 28 June 2007 after the disbanding of the Department for Education and Skills by Gordon Brown. The first Secretary of State was Ed Balls, a former treasury aide to Brown...
, said the school would play an important role in dealing with discrimination and prejudice.
Further reading
- "Admissions policy". JCoSS. Accessed 3 April 2011.
- Kummer, Sophie. "Rush for places at Jewish school". Watford Observer. 4 March 2005. Accessed 8 August 2011.
- "New Jewish secondary for Barnet". Association of Teachers and LecturersAssociation of Teachers and LecturersThe Association of Teachers and Lecturers is a trade union, teachers' union and professional association, affiliated to the Trades Union Congress, in the United Kingdom representing educators from nursery and primary education to further education...
. 4 April 2005. Accessed 11 April 2011. - Kummer, Sophie. "£46m funding bid for new Jewish school". times-series.co.uk. 2 June 2005. Accessed 11 April 2011.
- Dutta, Neeta. "First inclusive Jewish secondary school". times-series.co.uk. 9 February 2006. Accessed 11 April 2011.
- Lowe, Rebecca. "JCoSS ground breaking ceremony: speeches in full". times-series.co.uk. 22 April 2009. Accessed 8 August 2011.
- Cosgrove, Sarah. "Director for new Jewish school JCoSS's autistic facility appointed to school in Westbrook Crescent, East Barnet". times-series.co.uk. 11 March 2010. Accessed 8 August 2011.
- Lipman, Jennifer. "JCoSS: Don't stop believing, it can happen". The Jewish ChronicleThe Jewish ChronicleThe Jewish Chronicle is a London-based Jewish newspaper. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world.-Publication data and readership figures:...
. 30 June 2011. Accessed 8 August 2011.