Navigating Jewish secondary school admissions in extraordinary times

This year stands out as a pivotal moment in Jewish education, with a landscape transformed in a single year. London’s once-manageable admissions process has become a community-wide concern, requiring enhanced collaboration and creativity.

Since 2017, PaJeS has provided detailed projection planning for Jewish secondary schools in London by analysing primary admissions numbers, historical patterns and demographic trends, enabling schools to plan for the coming year. While some external studies predicted a decline in applications, our projections anticipated a modest increase for the 2025/26 school year. However, this year has brought a perfect storm that would test every assumption about Jewish education demand in Britain.

Applications to Hasmonean, JCoSS, JFS and Yavneh College have surged, marking a dramatic shift from roughly 45 per cent of mainstream Jewish families choosing Jewish schools to closer to 55 per cent. This unprecedented demand stems from two distinct but interconnected factors that altered the landscape.

The introduction of VAT on private school fees created a complex dynamic, with the rate of families declining these places in state schools to pursue private education dropping dramatically. Simultaneously, rising antisemitism has led many families to seek safety in Jewish schools, resulting in both increased October applications and a surge of late applications that inevitably impacted families already waiting for places.

Our desire for every Jewish child to have a place in a Jewish school contrasts with the official position that sees faith education as a privilege, not a right, meaning no additional year 7 funding is available beyond the prescribed admission numbers.

Despite this, the schools’ reactions have been remarkable. More than 130 additional places have been created across Hasmonean, JFS, JCoSS and Yavneh College, equivalent to five forms of entry. This expansion represents a significant undertaking, requiring additional physical space and teaching capacity across every subject.

Additionally, the incredible generosity of Immanuel College’s governors ensured that parents in genuine financial need were offered enhanced bursary provision, giving as many children as possible the option of a Jewish education.

However, many families still seek places, primarily comprising of those with concerns regarding antisemitism, rather than initially desiring a Jewish school. Given the exceptional circumstances, many of these parents welcomed the Clarion School option, which, while not a Jewish school, offers a supportive environment with zero tolerance for antisemitism and the possibility of Jewish studies provision.

The increase in applications we are experiencing this year may well be mirrored in coming years. Meeting this need requires proactive planning, which may include changes in admissions arrangements to prioritise children from Jewish primary schools. The urgent need for a new wing at Yavneh College remains a priority, that will require significant community investment.

Whether we need an entirely new school is complex. Current numbers are far below the threshold required and don’t justify the enormous cost in resources and specialist staff. Jewish studies teachers are already scarce and recruitment presents huge challenges.

The increase in interest in Jewish education is a welcome development. However, meeting this demand will be a hurdle. A pivotal question is whether we will see sustained growth in the longer term. It is deeply troubling that the increase in antisemitism has triggered a palpable change in the attitudes of the community – while some may be turning to Jewish schools, many families are considering leaving the UK. It is impossible to know what the net impact on school admissions in the longer-term will be.

However, we should be heartened by the response we have seen this year, which demonstrates our community’s remarkable resilience and commitment to Jewish continuity. Our schools have risen magnificently to meet the elevated demand, proving that when crisis strikes, Jewish institutions can adapt, collaborate and deliver solutions that serve our children’s futures.

The question now is whether we, as a community, are prepared to invest in our schools to serve families who increasingly see Jewish education as essential for their children’s identity and security. Our children are our future, and their future is in our hands.

Rabbi David Meyer is chief executive of PaJeS