Four more Jewish primary schools forced to change entry rules

Four more Jewish primary schools have been forced to change their entry criteria, with immediate effect, writes Caron Kemp.

Edgware’s Menorah Foundation was informed on 11 November that children attending the nursery are no longer allowed priority access into the reception year, while the same ruling was handed to Moriah, Wolfson Hillel and Sinai the following day.

The news comes just a week after Rosh Pinah and Mathilda Marks were likewise instructed by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator to amend their admissions policies with immediate effect.

The decision from the OSA, which regulates schools admissions, follows complaints by members of the public. In recent years, similar rulings have befallen Clore Shalom, Hertsmere Jewish Primary and The Independent Jewish Day School.

Jonathan Rabson, Executive Director of the National Association for Orthodox Jewish Schools, is extremely unhappy with the situation.

“We have strongly objected on behalf of our members to this development,” he explains.

“Jewish families believe in nursery education and show their loyalty and commitment to a school by sending their children to a nursery where they learn the culture and ethos of the school. How can the school accept a child into the nursery but not guarantee them a place in the school?

“It will make it very unsettling for such parents who have committed to a particular school and will be faced without places in the school when it comes to Reception entry.”

Following an OSA decision, the only available legal challenge is a costly judicial review. To date no school has taken this route.