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Simon Rocker

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Simon Rocker,

Simon Rocker

Analysis

The politics and numbers lying behind the bid for a new school

July 14, 2016 10:48
2 min read

Nicky Morgan is likely to see one wish fulfilled. Last month the then-Education secretary told a Jewish fundraising dinner that she would like to see more Jewish free schools. Well, now no fewer than three are planning to put in a bid to the Department for Education to open a new Jewish secondary free school in London in 2018.

We may see anything from one to three applications in the end, depending on whether the three groups choose to combine forces. But it is likely that only one of the Kedem High, Barkai College or Hertfordshire Jewish Free School (HJFS) groups will succeed.

A new school would bring relief to many Jewish parents anxious to ensure that their children will have a Jewish secondary school to go to. But not everyone is ready to welcome the prospect.

Firstly, some question whether there are the numbers to justify an additional state-aided, mainstream Jewish secondary school in London. Then there are those such as Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis who do not favour the current free school model since it can only guarantee half its places to Jewish children (although in practice more Jewish children would be able to attend).