Lubavitch: if you don't have a school place, come to us

If your child is still looking for a place at a Jewish school in London in autumn, Lubavitch has a message: our doors are open.

Judith Nemeth, the executive headteacher of the Lubavitch Multi-Academy Trust, which runs three state-aided schools – a boys’ primary, a girls primary and a girls secondary school – said they are already catering for students from diverse Jewish backgrounds.

In the Senior Girls’ School, for example, a Jewish studies programme for pupils who may not have previously enjoyed a formal Jewish education has been piloted over this year and will be introduced this September.

All three schools, based in Stamford Hill, are rated good by Ofsted and in 2023 the Senior Girls’ School was ranked 15th in the country for academic progress from entry to GCSE.

A school for everyone: learning at Lubavitch[Missing Credit]

Lubavitch’s offer comes amid an apparent shortage of places at state-aided Jewish schools in the capital with a number of applicants still waiting in hope for one in September.

While the ethos of the schools is strictly Orthodox, they remain open “for everyone”, she said. Lubavitch’s inclusiveness was one of the reasons that Nemeth, a seasoned Jewish educator, came to work for its school system.

Since many Lubavitch graduates will be prepared to serve as emissaries in the wider Jewish community as adults, they are taught to be “non-judgmental and very welcoming and understanding” of other Jews, she said.

“What truly sets us apart, however, is our foundation in the values of Chabad: radical inclusion, pride in Jewish identity, and unconditional love for every Jew. These values animate every corridor, every classroom, and every interaction.

“We educate a diverse and dynamic student body drawn from every corner of London — from Stamford Hill to Golders Green, from Borehamwood to Ilford and beyond. Some pupils come from observant homes, others from families reconnecting with their roots. All are welcomed, valued, and supported.”

The new flexible Jewish programme at the Senior Girls’ School, for instance, means that girls who do have not the schooling that Lubavitch students had would not be expected to translate the Chumash from scratch or study the text of the commentator Rashi. For them, the studies would focus more on the philosophy behind the biblical stories.

“We recognise that some children may be coming from non-Jewish schools or mixed educational backgrounds, and we are committed to helping them integrate with confidence, dignity, and joy,” Nemeth said. “Every child will be given the tools and guidance they need to connect meaningfully with their heritage while excelling academically.

“You do not have to compromise on your child’s education or safety. There is still time — and there is still space — in a school that will see your child for who they are and support them to become who they can be.”