News
Major changes at Hasmonean as boys' and girls' sites merge
Hendon site set to close, with all pupils educated together at Mill Hill
November 21, 2016 17:38
By, Lianne Kolirin
2 min read
Hendon site set to close, with all pupils educated together at Mill Hill
November 21, 2016 17:38By Lianne Kolirin , Lianne Kolirin
Boys and girls at Hasmonean High School are to study at the same premises, if plans submitted to Barnet Council are approved.
At present the boys’ site is on Holders Hill Road in Hendon, while the girls are educated in Mill Hill.
But if the application is successful, both could soon be learning at an expanded version of the girls’ campus in Page Street. There is, however, no suggestion that boys and girls will be taught together in the revamped building.
The proposals for one secure site have been lodged with the planning department of Barnet Council.
The boys’ school is in poor condition and based on just two acres has no room for expansion. It was originally intended for 350 pupils, but currently houses 600 because of the pressure on the Jewish schools’ system.
The girls’ school requires significant modernisation, while both have insufficient provisions for sport and outdoor play.
Considered an “educational excellence with an orthodox Jewish ethos”, Hasmonean recruits almost 90 per cent of its pupils from the London borough of Barnet.
Andrew McClusky, executive head teacher of Hasmonean High School, said: “We are delighted to have submitted our plans which will enable us to bring both the girls’ and boys’ school campuses onto a single site.
“At present, our two sites mean that we are splitting our teachers across two locations and many parents are picking up and dropping off siblings at each location.
“The number of applications to Jewish schools is rising and independent research has predicted that it will continue to rise in future years.
“At Hasmonean, we are receiving unprecedented numbers of applications, particularly to the boys’ school which is cramped and unsuited to the efficient delivery of education.”
Under the plans, all teaching spaces and facilities will be improved and more outdoor play space will be introduced.
Meanwhile, the Hendon site would be put to further educational use as part of a land agreement.
The planned revamp would provide additional sporting facilities for the local area, including four tennis courts, an all-weather sports pitch and a ‘multi-use games area’ which would be made available for local community use.
Each year, Hasmonean High School receives many more applications than it currently has capacity to fill. The new school will provide an additional two forms of entry, to meet the increasing demand.
If successful, it is proposed that the current boys’ school site on Holders Hill Road would be used for future educational use as part of a land agreement
“Our plans will dramatically improve the running of the school, and provide our students with classrooms, facilities and play spaces that are fit for modern use,” said Mr McClusky.
“There is no doubt whatsoever that an increasing number of families who wish their children to be educated at Hasmonean will be disappointed in future years unless our proposals are approved.
“Our plans will help us to continue to be a part of Barnet’s success, and deliver the excellent education that has helped generations of Barnet’s children to succeed.”
