The latest news from JCoSS

JCoSS Opens to all

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

At 8.30am on Monday 6^th September, JCoSS - the UK's first cross-communal Jewish secondary school and only the second parent-promoted school in the country - opened its doors to its first students.

Nine years in the planning, the magnificent £47 million building in New Barnet, North London has overnight become the second most popular Jewish school in the country, attracting its first 148 eleven year old students from every section of the Jewish community.

JCoSS's students are being taught in class sizes of just twenty-four, almost exclusively by senior educators and Heads of Department.

JCoSS has already achieved a number of firsts. It is the first non-academy school in the country to have been awarded specialist status (in science) even before it opens, offering pupils increased resources and access to the very best support and equipment.

Its Pears Special Resource Provision - developed in conjunction with the charity, Norwood, which supports children and families with special needs - is also a unique facility in a faith school. It will offer seven students diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders the opportunity to learn on the same campus as their peers in the main school. Fifty of the school's eventual full roll of 1310 students will benefit from the facilities of the PSRP.

Two-thirds of JCoSS's first students come from non-Jewish primaries across North London, the remaining third include representatives from almost every Jewish primary school in and around London.

The first intake comes from as far afield as Northwood, St Albans and Redbridge. It includes Orthodox and Reform students in equal measure as the largest groupings, with significant numbers from the Masorti and Liberal traditions, as well as non-aligned and Israelis families.

Commenting on JCoSS's first day, Headteacher, Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, says:

"I have to admit that this morning a small tear may have welled up in my eye when the first students walked in. I am so proud of what we have achieved here already, completing the building in just 18 months so that we can offer some of the very best facilities in the country. We have assembled an incredible team, a fantastic building and, from what I have seen, an energetic and enthusiastic group of students. All the ingredients are in place for JCoSS to succeed. Now it's time for us to deliver on our promises."

JCoSS will be hosting its first Open events for prospective parents and pupils on Wednesday 6^th and Sunday 10^th October. An open day for local residents will be held over the half term. For further information and to register to visit the school go to the JCoSS website, www.jcoss.org. A formal event to mark the opening of the school will be held next year.

Ground-breaking JCoSS is featured as a main case study in a documentary with Mike Baker

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

JCoSS is featured as the main case study in a documentary, which examines the role free schools will play in the coalition government's education policy.

Please take a look: www.teachers.tv/videos/need-to-know-free-schools

Making Progress - Photos May 2010

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

One hundred days to go and everything is on schedule. Here are latest photos from JCoSS...

JCoSS News Summer 2010

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

For all the latest news from JCoSS, click here, including:

Details of key teaching appointments
Accelerated setting for the most able
Information about travel arrangements
Latest photos of the building under construction
Details of Q and A sessions and 2011 Open Days

Unique Autism Provision Announces First Director

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

JCoSS, the UK's first cross-community Jewish state secondary school, has announced the appointment of David Wilson as the first Director of its 50-place Pears Special Resource Provision (PSRP) for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC).

The PSRP, which will open with seven 11-12 year old students this September, is believed to be a unique facility within a faith secondary school. It will cater to pupils who, while able to benefit from some time spent in mainstream schooling, would be unable to cope with full-time integrated education. JCoSS, in East Barnet, North London, will itself open at the same time to its first 180 Year 7 students, having recently announced that it is already oversubscribed.

JCoSS's Governors believe that the PSRP reinforces the school's commitment to inclusion, not just across the Jewish community, but also on the basis of need. The PSRP is generously supported by Norwood and its donors, including the Pears Foundation, a UK based Charitable Foundation supporting human rights, community and education. The Pears Foundation has a special interest in autism education. It has also contributed generously to the main school.

Wilson, 48, joins JCoSS from Moselle School, a special school for pupils with autism and learning difficulties in Haringey, where he has held the post of Assistant Head since 2000. He has experience of supporting students with a diagnosis of autism attending mainstream school, and has guided primary students with ASC in their transition to secondary school. He has also helped run a youth club for young people with autism. He is currently studying for a Masters in Education in Autism from the University of Birmingham.

JCoSS Headteacher, Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, said:

"David comes with a wealth of experience and gravitas. David's vision for inclusion and his expertise with children with autism will ensure that the Pears Special Resource Provision provides an outstanding educational experience for our first cohorts."

On hearing of his appointment, Mr Wilson said:

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a part in developing the PSRP at JCoSS. With state of the art facilities, support designed to meet the individual needs of students and an inclusive ethos we will enable young people with autism to meet their full potential and play a full role in the life of the school.

"Working in partnership with Norwood - one of the UK's leading charities supporting people with learning disabilities and children and families in need - we will be a beacon of excellence, with close links with other providers of support for individuals with autism and their families, both within the Jewish community and beyond."

Wilson took up the new post on 13th April 2010 and will also act as Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at JCoSS during the first year.

He is a trustee of Haringey Shed Inclusive Theatre. Originally from Lancashire, David lives in Enfield and is married with two daughters.