Admissions
Is it true that you are oversubscribed for 2010?
Yes but if you are still interested in attending JCoSS from September 2010 we strongly recommend you join our waiting list.
My application has been unsuccessful - what should I do now?
We are sorry that your application has been unsuccessful but all is not lost. Typically, there is further movement between schools over the next few months, especially to the private sector, so please confirm your place on our waiting list and we hope that we will be able to accommodate many of those who want a place.
I would like to transfer to JCoSS for 2010 - can I do that?
You can certainly join our waiting list. Typically, there is further movement between schools over the next few months, especially to the private sector, so it is well worth applying as we hope to be able to accommodate many of those who want a place.
If the school is oversubscribed in any one year how do you decide whom to take?
Our approach is to find ways to count people in rather than to exclude them. That is why we have avoided ‘assigning points' to ‘worthy' and ‘unworthy' Jews. We are unique in not making synagogue attendance mandatory: we value Jews equally however they choose to engage with the community, be it through a synagogue and through religion, through education, charitable work, sport, culture or so on.
When are the open events for secondary transfer 2011?
The secondary transfer Open Events for 2011 entry will be held on Wednesday 6th and Sunday 10th October at the new school. Please click here to find out more details
I am not Jewish but my husband is - will our children be eligible for JCoSS?
Yes. We want to include people not exclude them. Our criteria are based on the practice of either parent and they are gender equal.
Do I need to be a member of a synagogue to qualify for JCoSS
No, you do not need to be a member of synagogue, nor do members of synagogues get priority over other applicants who meet our priority one criteria in other ways (click here[admissions-policy/] for details).
When will the School Prospectus and admission information be available for Secondary Transfer 2011?
They will be available over the summer. In the meantime you are welcome to view our prospectus and admissions information for 2010.
Why do we need JCoSS anymore now that JFS has changed its admissions policy?
JCoSS's ethos is all about what happens in the school: that is what makes us inclusive and cross-communal. Our admissions policy is only one small part of our inclusive approach. What's more, JCoSS's approach is and always has been to find ways to count people in rather than to exclude them. We are unique in not making synagogue attendance mandatory: we value Jews equally however they choose to engage with the community, be it through a synagogue and through religion, be it through education, charitable work, sport, culture or so on.
Why have you changed your admissions policy?
Like all Jewish schools we have had to revisit our admissions policy in the light of the Court of Appeal Case. Obviously, our admissions criteria need to be within the law but it remains our central objective to include rather than exclude Jews.
Why did you have to change your admissions policy when the case was not against JCoSS?
Our legal advice was that, in light of the JFS case, our admissions policy would be equally unlawful, albeit our motivation was to include rather than exclude. In revising our admissions policy we have attempted to retain this principle, while of course staying within the law.
My partner is not halachically Jewish and we have been relying on JCoSS. How can you change your policy now?
We welcome all Jews on an equal basis and this includes you. We did not seek the court case which has caused this confusion, but obviously we have no choice but to comply with the law. If we are your first preference, then put this on your form.
How can you change your admissions policy at such a late date?
The Court of Appeal case was nothing to do with us, nor was it of our seeking, but once they made their ruling we had no choice but to amend our admission policy to stay within the law. The same principles still underpin our admissions policy: to include rather than to exclude and to be welcoming all Jews whatever their background, beliefs and abilities.
Why should I put JCoSS first if I don’t think I’ll get in?
The way the application process works is that, if JCoSS is your first preference, then there is no downside to putting it first. This is the only way of ensuring that you will be offered a place at JCoSS if there is space. It is worth noting that none of the schools you apply to know the position they have been listed by parents. As a result, if you put JCoSS first and still miss out it will not damage your chances of getting into your favoured back-up school.
Who will be able to sign my form?
If you giving synagogue membership as evidence of your child's priority status, then you can just attach original documents to show this is the case e.g a letter from the synagogue to you confirming it, an invoice, letter confirming seats at high holydays etc. Alternatively, simply ask a community leader such as a rabbi or charity chief executive to confirm your status.
How come you allow synagogue membership as a criteria when other schools don’t?
Other schools must answer for themselves. Our advice is that this is within the law and we want to find as many ways to count people in as possible.
Is JCoSS opening with a full contingent of pupils from day one?
No. JCoSS is opening with Year 7 (11 year olds) and is adding one year group at a time every year. So the school will grow to full capacity over a period of five or so years. The only exception to this is that we plan to open the Sixth Form at the beginning of our third year (Septmeber 2012).