Was it worth spending £50 million to build JCoSS? Thirty-six million came from the government. This makes JCoSS the most expensive state-funded secondary school ever built in the UK.
JCoSS stands for the Jewish Community Secondary School. It is located in New Barnet, London. JCoSS is a state-funded Jewish secondary school. JCoSS opened in 2010. It is the first cross-denominational secondary school in the UK.
Helena Miller from Leo Baeck College noticed a problem. Her son went to JFS. Many of his friends could not attend. This was because of oversubscription and halachic requirements. In 2001, she started community engagement. This led to the proposal for a new faith school.
Construction of JCoSS started in April 2009. JCoSS opened one year at a time. Each year, 180 students joined Year 7. The school grew to around 1360 students. The sixth form opened in 2012. Melanie Lee is the current headteacher of JCoSS. JCoSS specializes in science.
Gerald Ronson is the president of the JCoSS Trust. He is a business tycoon and philanthropist. Ronson helped raise funds for the school. The Pears Special Resource Provision or PSRP is at JCoSS. It has places for 49 children. These children have autistic spectrum disorders. Norwood, a Jewish charity, provides services at the PSRP.
Before JCoSS opened, some Orthodox rabbis were concerned. They questioned JCoSS’s compatibility with their faith. Ed Balls was the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. At the construction ceremony, he spoke. He said the school would help fight discrimination and prejudice.
In 2019, The Sunday Times named JCoSS London State Secondary School of the Year. This recognized its excellent GCSE and A Level results.
Zoom Rockman, a cartoonist, is a notable former pupil of JCoSS.
The motto of JCoSS is in Hebrew. It comes from the Talmud. The English translation is “These and these are the words of the Living God”.
JCoSS provides support for students with learning difficulties. A Pen Portrait is created for each child. This outlines their diagnoses, strengths, needs and strategies for success.
JCoSS monitors student progress throughout the year. Interventions are put in place for students working below expectations.
JCoSS helps students transition from primary school. There are opportunities to visit the school before starting.
JCoSS is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents a vision. It is a place where faith and education come together. It is a testament to community collaboration. JCoSS continues to shape young lives.