With just a few weeks to go until the end of term, some children at Jewish primary schools are still waiting for places at Jewish secondary schools, concerned parents have reported.
The issue is acutely felt among families with children already enrolled in Jewish primaries, who now fear being forced to withdraw them from the Jewish school system altogether.
One Jewish family, who keeps kosher, said they were alarmed after their child was offered a place at a Christian school. Another parent said she would be forced to homeschool her child if a place at a Jewish school did not open up. Both parents said they could not afford private school fees for all of their children.
The JC has previously reported on the pressure of securing a Jewish secondary school place for this September.
Demand appears to have surged, driven by heightened concerns about antisemitism in mainstream schools since October 7, the academic success of some Jewish state schools, and the government’s introduction of VAT and business rates on private schools, which has pushed independent schools to raise their fees.
The Jewish Community Academy Trust (JCAT), which oversees several Jewish primary schools, confirmed that some children in its schools still had no offers and said it was helping families prepare appeals with local authorities.
A spokesperson for JCAT told the JC: “There are children at JCAT schools who have not yet received a place at a Jewish secondary, and we know this must be a very worrying time for families.
“Our schools have been supporting these parents in preparing for appeals, as well as discussions with local authorities. We know that every year, many places become available in due course, though we appreciate that won’t always reassure parents and students. We have referred all families in this situation to PaJeS (Partnerships for Jewish Schools), given the ongoing communications and support they are co-ordinating.”
One parent who approached the JC said all her children had attended Jewish schools since nursery, and that the family were “lifelong members of the United Synagogue”.
“Despite this, we – and many other committed families – find ourselves without Jewish school places for our children, and without meaningful support from the organisations that claim to serve us,” she said.
“At a time when we are constantly being reminded of the rise in antisemitism and the importance of staying within and supporting our community, we feel abandoned,” she added.
The Jewish schools network, PaJeS, has said it is continuing to work behind the scenes to secure additional places and support families.
Raisel Freedman, assistant director of PaJeS, told the JC: “We are in ongoing close communications with all secondary schools regarding the current admissions situation.”
In a recent email to a concerned parent, PaJeS acknowledged “how difficult and distressing this period must be” and the “worry and stress it can cause”. The message sought to reassure families that “movement within the admissions process is expected between now and the beginning of the next school year”.
Immanuel College in Bushey has opened up means-tested support for families struggling to find a Jewish school place, including full bursaries covering the whole £28,000 yearly fees.
Daniel Levy, chair of the Immanuel board, said: “No child who would thrive in our environment is turned away due to financial constraints.”
