News

Yavneh College announces plans for a Primary Section

12 July 2010

Chair of Governors, Malcolm Gordon, today announced that the Trustees and Governing Body of Yavneh College have decided to pursue the possibility of expanding the school’s age range to provide a primary section, under the headship of Dr Coleman, which will enable the school to provide an education which flows seamlessly from Reception to Year 13. Experience from other 5-18yrs schools, including many of the most successful independent schools, shows that this approach produces exceptionally high standards, as well as significant benefits in terms of children’s personal and social development.

We have identified an area of land within our school site on which the new primary school building, offering two-form entry (i.e. 60 children per year), could be built. There are a number of hurdles to overcome, such as securing planning permission, but we are determined to work tirelessly to ensure a successful outcome.

We will ensure that we keep you up to date with the progress of this exciting new project for Yavneh College.

Yavneh College gets high tech accolade

Children at Yavneh College in Borehamwood are at the forefront of using information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance their work, and that’s official!

Following an extensive external assessment Yavneh has been awarded the prestigious ICT Mark by Becta, the government-funded body responsible for promoting the use of ICT in Britain’s schools and colleges.

The award recognises the school’s success in developing the strategic use of ICT in both administration and across the curriculum. Parents will have proof that their children are attending a school at the forefront of modern technology.

Headteacher Dr Dena Coleman commented “We are delighted to be awarded the ICT Mark. It recognises our positive approach to ICT and the benefits it is bringing to our children. We believe that ICT can be used in every aspect of learning and that it is essential our children are equipped for the modern world.”  

Niel McLean, Executive Director for Schools and Families at Becta said "Yavneh College thoroughly deserve the accolade of an ICT mark. They clearly demonstrate how important it is to take a holistic approach to using ICT in schools."

Excellent Ofsted and Pikuach inspections for Yavneh College

Yavneh College had its first Ofsted inspection, led by HMI, in May 2008. The inspection team commented that what had been achieved in just five terms was ‘remarkable’. Overall, they judged Yavneh to be ‘a good school with many outstanding features’; the highest grade available to us as a new school with no external examination results.
Ofsted found that:

  • ‘Leadership and management are outstanding’
  • ‘Standards of work are exceptionally high’
  • ‘The curriculum is outstanding’
  • ‘The spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of pupils’ development   are all outstanding’
  • ‘Pupils’ behaviour and attitude to learning  is exemplary’
  • ‘Care, guidance and support for pupils are all outstanding’
  • ‘Pupils know how well they are doing and are on track to meet their appropriately challenging targets’

May 2008 also saw the first Jewish Studies inspection for Yavneh College, undertaken by a team of inspectors from Pikuach. They judged Jewish education at the school to be ‘outstanding’ overall.
Pikuach found that:

  • ‘The leadership and management of the Jewish Studies department are excellent.’
  • ‘The achievement of all pupils is outstanding.’
  • ‘Behaviour is outstanding both in the classroom and in more informal settings. Pupils are developing excellent inter-personal skills and their relationship with adults is exceptionally positive.’
  • ‘The majority of tefillah observed was outstanding and the boys chosen to lead services did so with confidence and competence.’
  • ‘Teachers make a significant effort to ensure their lessons are exciting and relevant to the children.’
  • ‘Attitudes towards Jewish Studies are extremely positive.’
  • ‘The school’s formal curriculum is enriched by an outstanding and imaginative enrichment programme which includes many of Jewish content.’
The following full inspection reports are available to view or download: Adobe Acrobat .pdf