Parents urged not to panic after missing out on Jewish school places

Partnerships for Jewish Schools has sought to reassure parents who have spoken of their worry after their children were not offered a Jewish school place.

Initial offers for secondary school places began to be sent out at the start of this month. Families in north-west London have spoken to Jewish News after being offered schools which were not on their preference list.

But PaJeS said that an extra bulge class at Borehamwood’s Yavneh College should create extra capacity across the system which would only be seen after a few rounds of offers had elapsed.

“At this stage, it may feel as if there are many pupils still awaiting an offer,” it has told parents in a letter. 

“This is normal at the beginning of the process. It takes time and for a few rounds of offers to be completed by all the schools for things to settle.

“At that point we will have a clearer picture as to how many families are still waiting for an offer of a place at a Jewish school.”

It added that local authorities set their own timetables, meaning Jewish schools do not have the same date for deadlines.

Mum Jodi Newton told Jewish News she was considering a private school for her son after being allocated a “unsuitable” school.

The family, who live in Finchley, say those living outside the catchment area for Yavneh College are particularly affected.

“This cohort of children need all the certainty and positivity that we can provide them after so many bitter disappointments, particularly in the field of education,” she said.

Another parent, Sonya Tury, said her son who attends a Jewish primary, has been allocated a place at a Greek Orthodox secondary where there are few other Jewish pupils.

“I’m a different situation than most,” she said. “This has been really difficult for him.”