News

December 2011 – Update on progress with primary section

Yavneh College hopes to open a primary section, extending the age range of the school to 5-18 years.  Our planning application was approved unanimously by Hertsmere Borough Council in September 2011 but we said at the time that there were a number of pieces of the jigsaw yet to fall into place, one of which being the funding required in order to build and create the primary section. 

The Education and Skills Panel of Hertfordshire County Council has now concluded that for the school year commencing September 2012, the need for primary school places in other areas of Hertfordshire is more pressing than in Borehamwood. It has therefore decided to prioritise these areas for distribution of the limited capital funds available to it. This means that the Council is unable to offer the necessary funding to Yavneh College to enable us to proceed with our application to the Secretary of State to open a primary section in September 2012. 

We are extremely disappointed with this outcome and know that our disappointment will be shared by the many families who have been calling for Jewish primary provision in this area and working so hard together with us to achieve this.

County Councillor for Borehamwood South, Cllr Morris Bright, has responded as follows: "This is a very frustrating situation. Local councillors, the school and many residents can see such a school is much needed by the Jewish community in Borehamwood. However, County officers were keen to stress that the decision not to grant £4 million was for now only and that they will reconsider the decision in a matter of months. What needs to happen now is for the school, local councillors and residents to continue working hard to make the case as to why this primary school is so desperately needed. I pledge my personal support to this campaign".

In the meantime we will continue to work very actively with the Council and others in order to secure funding to enable us to open a primary section in September 2013, or possibly in September 2012 if funding is provided through another funder or donor coming forward.

Mrs Sue Nyman
Chair of Governors

November 2011 - Over 200 people attended our first primary section meeting

Yavneh College hopes to open a Primary Section from September 2012, extending the age range of the school from 11-18yrs to 5-18yrs.  To this end, we are making good progress.  We are delighted to announce that our planning application was approved unanimously by Hertsmere Borough Council at the meeting of the Planning Committee on 14 September 2011.

A number of pieces of the jigsaw now need to fall into place:

•  We need approval in order to extend the age range of the school down to Reception Year. We are meeting regularly with the Local Authority and are in discussions with the funding body for Academies to achieve this. The consultation period ends on Dec 2nd. However we will not know whether we have been successful until early next year.

• We are working on raising funds for the building work and for setting up the primary section.

• Our admission rules are now out for consultation.

Our objective is to open with Reception Year in September 2012 with one form of entry and two forms for each year thereafter, but at this stage it is too early to know whether or not we will be successful in achieving this deadline.  

We held a public meeting on 24th November attended by over 200 prospective parents to update them on current progress and to answer their questions.

It is essential that prospective parents register their interest below:

We will keep everyone on our database updated with current information, especially in relation to the admissions process for September 2012, if appropriate.

September 2011 - Yavneh College announces the introduction of dedicated school bus system in response to demand

Yavneh College has announced that it will be introducing an extensive system of school buses to provide transport for pupils living in areas affected by the decision by Hertfordshire County Council to remove subsidised faith school transport next year i.e. Bushey, Radlett, Elstree and Shenley.  The cost of an annual pass will be comparable to the subsidised rates that pupils currently pay.

In addition, in response to demand from families in North and North West London, the school will be introducing school bus services at affordable rates for pupils living in Edgware, Stanmore, Mill Hill, Hendon, Golders Green, Cockfosters, Southgate, High Barnet, Pinner and Hatch End.

All of these services will start during the course of this school year.

The news generated an immediate positive response from the families of current and prospective pupils.

Mrs Sue Nyman, Chair of Governors, said: ‘The response to this announcement has been hugely positive. We are very pleased to be able to assist the families of current and prospective pupils in this way.’

August 2011 - Yavneh College celebrates outstanding first set of GCSE results: 51% A* and A grades

Yavneh College’s first cohort of GCSE candidates are celebrating, having achieved an outstanding set of results in their exams this summer. 51% of all grades were A* and A. 87% of the pupils achieved five or more Grades A*-C.

Top-performing candidates were:

· Elkie Ben Hur - who achieved 11 A* grades and 1A grade

· Jessica Tray, Rachel Kass, Jordan Rinsler, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Natasha Banks, Shira Amir, Nicole Grossman - all of whom achieved 10 A* or A grades

· Talia Album, Richard Reback, Gaby Symons, Jessica Raymond, Charlotte Sint, Channie Orchant, Lauren Shrier – all of whom achieved 9 A* or A grades

Dr Dena Coleman, Headteacher, said: ‘These results place us amongst the top-performing schools in the country. They are a testament to the excellence of the teaching at Yavneh College and the hard work of the pupils.’

August 2011 - Excellent A Level results for Yavneh College

Congratulations to Year 13 for achieving excellent A Level results:

44% Grades A* and A

74% Grades A*, A and B

100% Pass rate

Top students were:

Joshua Pyzer A* A* A A A (maths, further maths, biology, chemistry, physics)

Adam Wolinsky A* A A B (politics, history, maths, further maths)

Avital Aarons A* A A (religious studies, biology, PE)

Solomon Ishack A* A A (business studies, ICT, psychology)

Joshua Broza A A A (English literature, politics, psychology)

Headteacher Dr Dena Coleman said: ‘We are delighted that these students who chose Yavneh College for their sixth form education, have been rewarded with such an excellent outcome and are now able to proceed to top universities. We wish them every success in their future studies.’

 

Yavneh College becomes an Academy, July 2011

We are delighted to announce that as of 1 July 2011, Yavneh College has become an Academy; the first Jewish secondary school to do so.

Being an Academy means that from 1 July 2011 we receive our funding directly from the Department for Education rather than via Hertfordshire Local Authority.

The additional funding and increased autonomy that Academy status brings will be of significant benefit to the education of all our pupils. We will be able to be more pro-active and autonomous in developing our strengths and further enhancing the education offered to your children.

2011 has been a tremendously successful year for Yavneh College. In March, we were judged to be 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and Pikuach. Also in March, our excellence in educating gifted & talented children was acknowledged with the granting of the prestigious National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) Award, which has only been awarded to 56 secondary schools nationally. In June, Yavneh College's extensive programme of extracurricular activities led to the award of the coveted QiSS kite mark.

If you would like to see further information regarding our Academy status, please have a look at the 'Frequently Asked Questions' by clicking here or the Department for Education's website information on Academies by clicking here.

We are so pleased to end the 2010/11 academic year on such a positive note and to be able to share these achievements with you and your children.

Yavneh College receives the QiSS Award, June 2011

Yavneh College has been awarded the QiSS kitemark following a lengthy assessment process involving analysis of the school’s provision of enrichments, support services and extended learning opportunities.

QiSS (Quality in Support Services) is a is a national organisation which is part of the Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. Over the last decade QiSS has worked in partnership with the DfE and local authorities. QiSS has a national reputation for excellence in both the application of knowledge and creating practical solutions for education providers in the areas of Study Support, Extended Services, professional development and learning activities outside normal lesson time.

Yavneh is the only Jewish school that has been awarded with the QiSS kitemark.

In her letter to the school, Julia Bateson, QiSS, wrote:

“The panel were really impressed with the impact of your enrichment programme, personalisation and deployment of staff and resources."

Yavneh College Celebrates 'Oustanding Double Success'

March 2011

To see the full copy of the Ofsted report please click HERE
To see the full copy of the Pikuach report please click HERE

Pupils, parents, staff, governors and trustees of Yavneh College are celebrating the outcome of an Ofsted inspection and a Jewish Studies inspection by Pikuach, both of which took place on 8-9 March 2011.Both inspection teams rated Yavneh College an ‘outstanding’ school. Only 13% of secondary schools nationally have been awarded an outstanding rating.

The Ofsted team found that ‘students receive excellent teaching and support resulting in outstanding achievement and high attainment’, ‘lessons are frequently inspirational and enthusiastically received’ and ‘students’ behaviour is outstanding and they express their love of the school for providing them with so many memorable experiences and chances of success.’

Sue Nyman, Chair of Governors, said:  ‘I, together with the Board of Governors and Trustees, are so proud of the extraordinary achievement of everyone at Yavneh College. Under Dr Coleman’s inspirational leadership everybody gives the best of themselves to maximise the achievement of the children and produce an outstanding school. To have done this in such a short period of time is quite phenomenal.’

Dr Dena Coleman, Headteacher, said:  “It is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of all those involved in the creation of Yavneh College, that a school that did not exist a mere five years ago has now received the accolade of being judged outstanding by Ofsted and by Pikuach.'

Ofsted Inspectors commended the school for ensuring that ‘those students with special educational needs make outstanding progress’ and that ‘those students who are gifted and talented are further challenged through stretching activities in lessons and through the extensive enrichment curriculum.’

The Ofsted team found that ‘care, guidance and support are outstanding’ and that ‘the curriculum is exceptionally well matched to students’ needs.’

Leadership and management were judged to be ‘outstanding’ by the Ofsted team, who found that ‘the Headteacher and her senior team have empowered all members of staff.’

Previous Ofsted and Pikuach reports are available below:

• Ofsted Inspection Report 2008
• Pikuach Inspection Report 2008

Yavneh scoops NACE award for excellent provision for able, gifted & talented pupils!

March 2011

We are pleased to announce that Yavneh College has been awarded the prestigious NACE Challenge Award, following a rigorous assessment and inspection process which involves analysis of attainment data; scrutiny of curricular and extracurricular provision; evidence from external partners; lesson observations; interviews with pupils, parents, teachers and governors.

NACE - the National Association for Able Children in Education - is a national body that promotes the importance of an appropriately challenging education for children at the top of the ability range.

Only 56 secondary schools nationally have received this award, which recognises excellence in provision for able, gifted and talented pupils.

Change of Chair of Governors for Yavneh College

10 November 2010

Mr Malcolm Gordon announced that he was stepping down as Chair of the Governing Body. The Vice-Chair, Mrs Sue Nyman, was introduced to parents as the new Chair. Here are their letters to parents:

Dear Parent

It is with mixed feelings that I write to inform you that I have decided to step down as Chair of Governors of Yavneh College. Last month saw the 11th anniversary of my first meeting on the School project and I always said that I would step down once all the building works were complete. The School is now on a firm footing and I believe it is time to allow someone else to take over the reins.

I am immensely proud of my involvement with the School project and grateful to all those that have help make the dream become a reality, including our Honorary President Benjamin Perl MBE and the Trustees and all the Governors both past and present and our wonderful Head Teacher and staff. I will stay on as Chair of the School’s Foundation Body, Yavneh College Trust, and will continue to assist Benjamin Perl in his continued hard work in raising funds for the School. I will also stay on as a Governor of the School.

I am delighted to inform you that Sue Nyman, my Vice-Chair, was elected the new Chair at the Governors’ meeting last night and Daniel Album was elected Vice Chair. Both Sue and Daniel have been involved for many years with the School project and been Governors since the School opened. I wish them both much success in their new positions and am sure that the School will go from strength to strength under their guidance.

With warmest regards.

Yours sincerely,

Malcolm Gordon
Chair Yavneh College Trust

Dear Parent

I am very pleased to be writing to you today having been appointed as Chair of Governors of Yavneh College at last night's Governors' meeting. Having served on the board for some years it is an enormous privilege. I am also delighted that Daniel Album will be working with me as Vice Chair.

For those of you who do not know me I am an accountant in practice and have therefore been particularly involved with the finance committee of the Governing Body. I also chair the admissions committee and have been very involved in the admissions issues that have affected us together with other Jewish schools in recent years. I am also a Trustee of Yavneh College Trust.

I live in Swiss Cottage together with my husband and two teenage sons. However I spend a lot of my time in Borehamwood through my work at the school and my children also play cricket in the area so it sometimes feels like my second home!

We have also had some other changes to the board and I attach a list of governors including the two newly appointed parent governors.

I look forward to chairing the board.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

Sue Nyman
Chair of Governing Body of 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."