Application for new Jewish secondary school in South Herts to be submitted this week

Two years ago, the DfE rejected separate bids for a new Orthodox free school from Barkai College and the United Synagogue-backed Kavanah College.

But believing a unified bid would stand a better chance of success, the two groups subsequently merged.

They have been ready to apply since March last year but the free school process was delayed because of the 2017 general election and a change of Education Secretary.

As a free school, NJHS would be able to reserve only half its places on the basis of faith – although Jewish students would be able to apply on other grounds, such as proximity to the school.

But NJHS has stressed it is committed to the “inclusive” ethos of free schools and would make provision for children of other faiths.

According to its website, its team represents a “cross-section” of the Jewish community. Mr Ashkenazi-Bakes, who was previously associated with the Kavanah bid, represents Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue on the Board of Deputies; his wife Lily is a governor at the United Synagogue-supported Hertsmere Jewish Primary.

NJHS plans to specialise in Stem subjects – maths, technology and science.

Applications to Jewish secondary schools in and around the capital have risen over the past few years, leading to a demand for additional places. The cross-communal JCoSS has added an extra class in the past two years, JFS accepted more students than its official maximum of 300 and the fee-paying Immanuel College has enjoyed an increase in intake over the past three years.

According to the most recent forecasts, applications to mainstream Jewish secondary schools are set to peak in 2020.

But what remains unknown is how many more applications might come forward if another school was in place.

The only Jewish secondary school in Hertfordshire, Yavneh College, is heavily oversubscribed and those living outside its catchment area stand little chance of a place.