2 min read
ByRabbi David Meyer, Rabbi David Meyer
For hundreds of anxious parents, the wait will soon be over as they find out whether their child has been offered a place at their preferred secondary school.
The vast majority will have gained a spot; but for a sizeable minority, the offers in March will bring less welcome news. Many will be offered second or third place choices and some will be directed to a school that may not be of the ethos or educational philosophy that they want for their child.
This is not the time to argue about the rights or wrongs of faith schooling. These parents have every right to select the education of their choice for their child and are rightly frustrated when they don't get their preferred place.
Last year, I arranged a meeting with a group of these parents, and it was quite tragic to see those who felt forsaken by the community. They felt that the system was unfair, and that the schools were uncaring and disinterested.
However, I also met with the community's headteachers and know only too well how challenging their position is. Without exception, our secondary school heads are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the best possible provision for their students. It would be absurd to suggest that they do not feel compassion towards those who fail to receive a place; indeed, the opposite is true. But their choices are very limited.
It is important to understand that state schools do not determine who is accepted. Places are offered by the local authority, according to the schools' admissions criteria. This is an imperfect system and can create anomalies. For instance, every year, there are parents holding places in schools, who would love to swap their places. But they cannot do so, as their place has to go to the next on the waiting list.
For those who suggest that schools should offer more places, this is also fraught with problems. Even if the local authority were to approve the additional provision, the headteacher has to consider the balance between helping those without a place, and the inevitable impact that an increase in students and overcrowded classrooms can have on the quality of education.
For those parents who will not receive their preferred choice next week, these arguments are of little comfort. But the majority will only have to wait a few weeks before places became available. Sadly, there may be some students who do not get a place. But of almost 1,000 children who applied for secondary school last year, 98 per cent received a place in a Jewish school.
So please, don't panic and try not to take it personally. The schools are bound by their admissions criteria and don't have a say as to who is accepted. We are also incredibly fortunate to have so many excellent schools in our community - there are no bad options. Whichever school your child gets accepted into, I am confident that, with parental support, they will flourish.
Rabbi David Meyer is executive director of Pajes, and was previously executive headteacher of Hasmonean High School
