JFS to open Year 7 bulge class in September

JFS is to open a bulge class for Year 7 pupils in the autumn amid a “significant surge” in applications for Jewish secondary schools.

The north London school will offer an additional 30 places to meet increased demand, with places randomly allocated on Tuesday.

A statement from the school read: “These additional places will create movement across schools in the hope that those still awaiting a place in a Jewish school will receive an offer.  

“We know that the lengthy decision process may have caused some anxiety for those families awaiting a place but it has been important to undertake a thorough internal analysis to ensure the school can take an additional form.

“While doing so creates additional financial and operational challenges, we are pleased to have been able to alleviate some the pressure in the system.”

JFS said it has worked with the Jewish Leadership Council’s education division, Partnership for Jewish Schools (PaJes), to ensure a “genuine need” for additional places.

Rabbi David Meyer, PaJes’ executive director, said: “It is a credit to the secondary schools that they continue to work together to ensure sufficient provision across the community. Thanks to this extra class offered by JFS we would anticipate that those who wish to attend a Jewish school will be able to do so.”