Jewish

19 May 2016

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Edited by Brigit Grant

SUPPLEMENT

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The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Where will all

our children go?
With more Jewish pupils than there are secondary
schools to accommodate them, Caron Kemp
examines our communitys big education concerns

ach year as March approaches, anxious

parents and children across the country
wait with baited breath to see if they
will be fortunate enough to secure a place
at one of our already overstretched and oversubscribed Jewish secondary schools.
Seen by the affected families as a simple equation of too many children and not enough school
places, it can be an extremely fraught and stressful
time.
Yet this has become a persistent problem year
on year, exacerbated perhaps by the economic
downturn from 2008, the rise in anti-Semitism
and the sharp increase in Jewish primary school
provision.
In Barnet alone, the council projections for
pupil growth indicate a need for around 600 extra
secondary school places by the end of the
decade. Hosting the countrys largest Jewish population, suffice to say the demand for Jewish

schools follows this trend.

This September, Borehamwoods Yavneh
College will open its doors to an extra 30 children,
but while this is welcome news for some of
those currently scrambling for places, it does not
address the long-term issue.
While the Partnership for Jewish Schools
(PaJeS), established to provide services, support
and strategy to Jewish schools across the UK,
would not be pinned down as to whether it
believes there is a specific need for a new Jewish
secondary school, nor whether one will definitely
open, spokeswoman Jessica Boxer did say that
extensive research is being carried out to better
inform the discussion.
She also highlighted one caveat to the complex
landscape.
There probably are enough places at Jewish
schools at the moment, but they are not perfectly
distributed in line with the demand, she admitted.

When King Solomon High School was opened ary school landscape in London; a school with a
in Ilford in 1993, its remit was to offer a Modern Orthodox open-minded outlook offering
comprehensive education to Jewish children in
high standards of Jewish studies, ideally on
Redbridge and the surrounding areas. In
a par with the best American Jewish
2016, while it is still oversubscribed,
high schools, she admits.
only a third of its 1,000 places are
With plans to submit her free
occupied by Jewish students.
school proposal to the DepartAttempts have been made in
ment for Education later this
recent years to encourage famyear, with a view to opening
ilies to consider the commute
a five-form entry school in
from north-west London.
either Edgware or Mill Hill
Yet not content with this
in September 2018, Eve
solution, mother-of-three and
believes this is a long-overdue
Hendon resident Eve Sacks took
proposition.
the matter into her own hands,
Our proposal will help
spearheading a campaign to estabresolve the issue by injecting an
lish a new Jewish school to meet
extra 150 places into the state school
Eve Sacks
demand and to offer choice.
sector, giving parents a better chance of
We embarked on the process because
securing a place at the school they feel
we felt that there was a gap in the Jewish second- best meets the needs of their children, she adds.
We have felt that there is a genuine excitement at the prospect of a Modern Orthodox
secondary school that offers pupils a strong secular and Jewish education.
We are not merely responding to a shortage
of school places. We are driven by a particular
vision and we have spent a good deal of time
refining the values that we would like to govern
the school. We are using this vision to guide us as
we move forward.
The team behind the Modern Orthodox
Secondary School (MOSS) application will hear
next March if they have managed to secure funding, following which they will commence the
search for a site.
Yet they are not alone in hoping to establish
a new Jewish secondary school. In January, it was
announced that the newly-created Nekadma Trust,
headed by Rosh Pinah school chairman Andrew
Rotenberg, would be applying to open the Kedem
High School a free Orthodox Jewish secondary
school in Barnet, within the next two years.
The project, in partnership with Lilac Sky
Outstanding Education Services, aims to offer
a truly integrated secular and Jewish curriculum
which is rich, varied and challenging, it states on
its website.
According to a recent update on its Facebook
page, almost all necessary paperwork has now
been submitted to the DfE; however, there are a
couple of preliminary legal/technical issues that
need to be addressed at this point which are completely outside of our control, it states.
While it is not impossible for the DfE to ratify
The shortage of secondary places has led to Yavneh College saying it will open its doors to an extra 30 children this September
both applications, it is believed to be unlikely.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Fathomably, neither application could get the

go-ahead and, equally, some suggest that other
groups are applying to open a new Jewish
free school in north-west London that have not
announced so publicly.
In the meantime, Hasmonean High School
confirmed last month that it plans to move its
boys school in Hendon adjacent to the girls site
in Mill Hill, which would allow for the potential
to take more pupils, with plans included to offer
an on-site nursery.
The proposal talks specifically about providing an additional two-form entry, which would
ease some of the pressure on the current
situation.
What is clear is that, in the next few years something has to change, as the need for extra secondary school places within the north-west London

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

Jewish community has never been greater.

As Ruth Gafson, headteacher at Moriah
Jewish Day School in Pinner, is acutely aware
behind the facts and figures, there are children
and their families sometimes deeply affected
by this situation.
The uncertainty of secondary education is
a live issue for our parents, she explains.
All of these schools are similar but offer differing learning experiences; some in religiosity
and some in teaching approaches.
Following a visit to the schools, parents and
children emerge with a favourite, often based on
gut feeling, but parents accept that they dont
really have any choice at all.
This can be both disheartening and unsatisfactory for parents at what is already a fraught
time.

The Haberdashers Askes Boys School

Nurturing Excellence

Open Day
Saturday 8 October 2016 1 4pm
Booked tours available through the year

An outstanding independent
day school for boys aged
between 5 and 18.

www.habsboys.org.uk
registered charity no: 313996

Hasmonean High School boys campus will move to the girls site in Mill Hill so it can take more pupils

SweetTree Specialist
Learning Disabilities
Services
The specialist Learning Disabilities Service at SweetTree provides the highest
quality care and support at home and in the community, for people with mild,
moderate, and severe learning disabilities.
Supporting people to reach their full potential is a key aim of the service. We
achieve this by helping clients to build their confidence and independence, to
develop new skills and overall by supporting them to lead an active and fulfilling
life. Our person-centred support packages are designed around each individual
and their likes, dislikes, goals and ambitions, focusing on what people can do
rather than potential obstacles.

Please contact the team anytime for advice or to book a free care assessment
020 7624 9944 | info@sweettree.co.uk | www.sweettree.co.uk | @SweetTreeHCS

Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF

Tel: 020 8266 1700 admissions@habsboys.org.uk
Headmaster Peter Hamilton MA

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The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

A Novel
Experience
With computers and tablets dominating most
childrens lives, books have been shelved. Reading consultant Clare Zinkin
explains why reading is essential and how to make it interesting

iming is everything and I was lucky enough

to start working in childrens publishing
at the same time as the first Harry Potter
novel was launched in 1997. This kick-started
a new golden age in childrens literature and,
in 2001, a childrens book, Philip Pullmans
The Amber Spyglass, won the Whitbread (former Booker Prize) for the first time.
With the sales for childrens books rising to
349 million in 2014 the highest level since that
first Harry Potter the market just continues to
grow, as does the breadth of books, with 10,000
new childrens titles published in the UK every year.
And yet its still a struggle to get children to
read. With limited free time and ever more screen
time, our children are less and less likely to pick
up a book.
Nearly three-quarters of households own a
tablet computer and yet three in 10 children in the
UK do not own a single book of their own, according to the National Literacy Trust. The Trust
believes that children who dont own books
are less likely to have positive experiences of
reading, less likely to do well at school and less
likely to be engaged in reading in any form.
In fact, the issue of accessibility is huge. With
the current lack of funding for libraries, and
budget tightening in schools, as well as the
closure of high street bookshops, it is becoming
more difficult for children to find books they like.
With 73 percent of children saying they would
read more if they could find more books they like,
it falls to parents to provide the selection and
in doing so, encourage their children to read. But
how?, I hear you cry.

Children copy behaviour, be it eating

vegetables, keeping fit or reading books.
Parents shouldnt expect their children to
be great readers if they dont see an example
they can follow. And that means print. Children cant decipher whether a parent is reading a book on an e-reader or playing a game,
so reading be it an actual book, newspaper or
magazine is optimal.
Talking about books is also key, so when reading to your children discuss everything from the
plot points to the funny bits, and try relating what
they have read to real life. Accessibility as previously stated is crucial, so have books around the
house and when you are out think about taking
your children to book swaps, libraries and charity
shops. Nothing gets a child more excited than the
opportunity to meet an author, so you could also
take them to book signings and literary festivals.
Remember: enthusiasm mounts with exposure.
But why is reading so important for children?
Of course, we know that reading boosts general
educational achievement in subjects such as
maths as well as literacy which has a greater
impact on achievement than their parents
socio-economic status ever will. What you might
not realise is that it also acts as a de-stress by
as much as 60 percent for the average reader
and, most importantly, provides emotional and
social benefits. It also helps the understanding
of others and gives a moral compass. In essence,
it teaches humanity.
In any childrens book, there are likely to be
key decisions made by the protagonist on what
is right or wrong, how to make friends, who to
trust, how to grow as a person. Even in the
most funny reads, the characters impart some
of this to children. Charlie And The Chocolate
Factory shows children how to behave by the
misbehaviour of the revolting children who
win golden tickets, and they suffer the consequences of their actions. Harry Potter grows as
a person from books one to seven, learning
about friendship, self-belief, community, determination, and facing fears and yes, the adventures are pretty exciting, too.
As someone once said, children who read
become adults who think. As much as learning
about others, children also look for themselves
in books they want to see that they are
not alone. Books can be as much a
finding place as an escape from the
reality they are living, especially for
teenagers.
They can see themselves
in the books they read,
as well as seeing their

friends, and learn how to deal with issues almost

by osmosis not being directly spoon-fed but
by seeing how a character deals with the situation. From dealing with a mothers cancer in A
Monster Calls by Patrick Ness to dealing with
difference in Wonder by RJ Palacio, there are
many different issues in many different stories.
One of my many tasks as a childrens reading
consultant is to find topics embedded in childrens stories that can subtly help the child in
question.
There are some brilliant ideas coming from
publishers and charities, too from the Reading
Agencys Reading Well scheme for teenagers
with mental health issues, to the publisher Barrington Stoke, which specialises in producing
books for those who are reluctant to read or have
reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Publishers
are realising that more and more children want
that mirror in their books, and are attempting
to address missing diversity.
The winner of the Best Older Fiction in the

Waterstones Childrens Book Prize 2016 was

Lisa Williamsons The Art of Being Normal a
young adult novel about a boy wanting to be
a girl, dealing with sexuality and gender. Others in the publishing world are more subtle
the illustrator Rebecca Cobb neatly interweaves a mix of diversity in her group of
friends in The Something picture book showing a child in a wheelchair without drawing attention to it.
Of course, there is still much more to do to
promote diversity in childrens publishing, and to
get children reading. But if they can find a book
that speaks directly to them, that doesnt preach
the answers, but makes them think about the
questions, then theyve taken the first step on
that magical reading path.
For further information, strategies to encourage
your child to be a reader for life, themed booklists
and book reviews, visit Clare Zinkins website at
www.MinervaReads.com

Books that address specific issues:

SIBLINGS:
The Only Child Club by Anne Fine
Conveying the hilarious truth about siblings, this is a
book for newly independent readers that confronts the
issues of having and not having siblings for the age
group who are most likely to feel it. Ryan, an only child,
invites the other only children in his class to be in
The Only Child Club. They need to decide what it is
that siblings actually do and come up with the most
hilarious ideas (age 5+ years).

Whatever Happened to my Sister?

by Simona Ciraolo
A touching picture book for any younger sibling
whose older sister has started on the transition out of
childhood. It portrays the shift in relationship with
great skill, from the depiction of the older sister in hot
pants and skimpy top reaching into a cupboard, with
the words My sister was never so tall. Did it happen
overnight? to the little girl shut out of her sisters room,
as her sister peruses magazines and listens on headphones. An uplifting ending, but a good insight into the
ever transient relationship of siblings.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

SEXTING AND FRIENDSHIP:

DISABILITY:
We Are Giants by Amber Lee Dodd
A brilliant, page-turning debut novel for ages nine to 12 years
about moving house and school to a different area, and being
different. Sydney loves her mum Amy, even if she is different from
all the other mothers. Sydneys mum has dwarfism, and although
Sydney sees it as a wonderful thing and wishes she could stop
growing to be more like her mum, other children dont see it in
quite the same way. Told from Sydneys point of view, this is a
gripping story about making new friends and dealing with bullies,
applicable to everyone who feels a bit different inside.
Katy by Jacqueline Wilson
A modern day version of What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge. Katy is
a strong-willed child, one of a large family of six. Jacqueline Wilson
portrays the modern family dynamic with aplomb a stepmother,
the arguments and escapades of modern-day children, the annoying
little sister. Then, a terrible accident leaves Katy wheelchair- bound.
Unlike the original story, there is no fairy tale ending. The effect on
Katys and the rest of the familys emotions is devastating but very
real and her recovery is dealt with well. For ages 10 plus.

BEREAVEMENT:
The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge
Albie (named after Einstein) by his scientist parents, is a curious
Year 6 boy, who is grieving for his mother who died just two
weeks before the book begins. To assuage his sadness, and to
discover where she might have gone after death, he explores the
idea of parallel universes could she be alive in a different time
and space? An intriguing book, highly emotive, but with touches
of humour. Highly recommend for ages 8+.

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

Three interlocking narratives make for a compelling story of friendship
and inhibitions. Bridge, aged 11, survived a horrific car accident and
is pondering the meaning of life after missing so much school. Sherm
is exploring love as he witnesses the break-up of his long-married
grandparents and a third narrative a mystery troubled youngster.
The book deals with internet safety, self-image, and peer pressure
as the three progress into adolescence. Highly readable and realistic
dialogue make this an exceptional read for 12+ years.

MENTAL HEALTH
Panther by David Owen
Derrick is overweight. He eats out of a sense of helplessness
because his sister is held in the grip of deep depression, and everyone around her is tainted in some way. Derrick becomes obsessed
with finding a wild panther, rumoured to be wandering the allotments
and parks of south London. If he can catch and tame a wild beast,
then surely he can exert control over whats happening in the rest of
his life? This is a highly emotional novel, dealing with depression and
the wider effects on family and friends. Hard-hitting. For ages 15+.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY
Trouble by Non Pratt
A dual narrative told from the perspective of 15-year-old Hannah,
and Aaron, the new boy at school. This smart and funny novel stays
with the reader long after its finished, and deals with what happens
when Hannah gets pregnant, and Aaron, despite not being the
father offers to be the pretend dad. With great dialogue, beautifully portrayed relationships, not only between young people, but
also between parents and children, this is a phenomenal read.

Nursery & Pre-School

Headteacher: Ms Danielle Boder Cert. Ed. AETC
Deputy/SENCO: Mrs Michelle Peters B.Ed (Hons)

BUSHEY GAN offers your children aged 2 to rising 5 a warm,

friendly, stimulating and safe environment in which to play,
learn and develop. We are proud to be a double outstanding
nursery school with caring, qualified and experienced staff.
We offer an outstanding secular and Jewish education as
well as a large outdoor play area with safety flooring.
Opening Hours Term Time
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30am - 3pm
Tuesday & Friday: 9:30am 12:30pm
Lunch Club Milky meals
Free places for 3 & 4 year olds | Nursery Vouchers accepted
Visit our website: www.busheyganim.org.uk
to register for September 2016 onwards
Call or email to book a visit (ID required)
177-189 Sparrows Herne, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 1AJ
Email: head@busheyganim.org Tel: 020 8386 1515 Mob: 07733 068358

Wolfson Hillel Primary School is a thriving

United Synagogue school in Southgate, London.
Ofsted said Pupils are proud of their school and get on very well
together. As a result, the school is a very harmonious community.
From the time they enter the school in the Early Years Foundation Stage,
children become confident and eager learners. In lessons, pupils show
good attitudes to learning and respond well to their teacherspupils
achieve well to reach standards in English and mathematics that are
well above average by the time they leave.
Parents views Our school has been transformed by a dynamic Head
who has put in place strong leadership teams & clear strategies to
support the individual learning journey of each and every child, allowing
them to flourish. The new school curriculum has allowed for some hugely
creative teaching where all children are engaged. We are so proud that
we and our children are part of this thriving school community.

We will be holding open mornings for prospective parents on

16/6, 11/10, 17/11, 7/12 at 9.30a.m. Please contact the
Admissions Manager on 020 8882 6487 to book a place or if
you are unable to make these dates to book an appointment.

www.wolfsonhillel.enfield.sch.uk

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The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Writings off the wall

If the h looks more like an n and the
f resembles an s, its time to improve
your childs penmanship and Debra
Barnes has a helpful recommendation

ast week, I received a handwritten note in the

to handwrite the covering letter for a job applicapost from a cousin thanking me for a
tion, but the advice today is that only the
lovely Seder. My first reaction was
signature should be written by hand.
how very unnecessary but that soon
So what do we need handwriting
changed to how very old-fashioned
for these days and how imporand lovely; after all, the seder had
tant is it that we teach our chiltaken me two days to prepare and
dren good handwriting skills?
one day to clean up afterwards,
Surely they dont need to twirl
so it was nice to know that my
their y once they can find it
hard work had been appreciated.
on their computer keyboard?
Yesterday evening, I received my
Handwriting specialist Lee
first emailed thank you note for a
Dein thinks that it is very imporbatmitzvah present. My first reaction
tant. It is a life skill in fact,
was how very modern/economical/
she says. Speaking and listening
ecological, but that soon changed to how
are perhaps the more obvious methvery impersonal and I felt a bit sad that this
ods of communication, but writing is
Lee Dein
was probably the way forward.
equally important. Neat, legible handIt doesnt seem that long ago when it was essential writing increases self-confidence and self-esteem
AS SEEN ON

CREATE
BUILD
CODE
GAME

and creates a positive impression. As a speech therapist who has taught many children the art of good
speaking, I believe pupils should also be taught the
art of clear, legible handwriting.
Inspired by her experiences as a speech and
language therapist, working with dyslexic chidren,
and as a parent of four all JFS pupils Lee recognised an urgent need for a simple and logical handwriting programme and created the Magic Link
Handwriting Programme.
One day, a mother asked me to only teach her
child handwriting, Lee explains. I invented this
method purely through seeing the obvious. For
example, the first step teaches the child how to hold
a pencil correctly. This came about as most children
have the most shocking pencil grip! The next step
teaches letter heights again, this felt obvious as so
many pupils had letters which were all the same size,
making it difficult to make out whether they were
writing an n or an h, a d or an a.
According to Lee, children with neat and legible
handwriting appear more confident, happier, enjoy
writing tasks and achieve better marks at school.
I have many referrals from tutors who report that
pupils who have been on my handwriting programme
are all offered places in the school of their choice. Ive
also noticed a definite link between good handwriting
and an improvement in spelling, because children are
able to proofread what they write and spot their own
mistakes and self-correct.
Lee was recently able to help a seven-year-old

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Before and after: Lees handwriting results

child who was receiving occupational therapy and

whose headteacher was advising that he be sent to
another school with a special needs unit.
He had awful illegible handwriting, recalls Lee.
But after six weeks on my programme, his handwriting is now one of the best in his class and he has
just been reassessed as being highly intelligent and
the school are happy for him to stay where he is.
It has been a joy seeing his increased confidence and self-esteem and his parents are
delighted. They knew all along that their son was
bright and this is now reflected in his handwriting.
His life has taken on a completely new direction and
he has a bright future ahead. It has been incredibly
satisfying for me to be a part of this.
Of course, many adults also have bad handwriting,
such as doctors who are notorious for their illegible
scrawl, although Lee believes they arent the only culprits. It is dentists, accountants and everyone else,
too. The reason doctors are targeted is because they
need to write prescriptions and their handwriting is
on show. Many other professionals get away without handwriting and use computers so their lack of
skills is hidden from view. I believe the reason people
have bad handwriting is simply because it has never
been taught in a clear, structured and logical way.
Lees Magic Link Handwriting method can be
taught via a software programme, in private teaching
groups or at school.
For more details, go to magiclinkhandwriting.com

www.jewishnews.co.uk

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

E7

The Sweet Tree of Knowledge

Education is for everyone, but for those who face bigger challenges acquiring it, theres specialist support

or young people and adults with a learning disability, being supported to develop new skills
and stay active as part of the local community can
be a life-changing experience. This includes building confidence, reducing anxiety and stress, and
overall helping to develop independence.
Whether it is through entering further education, joining a group or class, or taking part
in community-based activities, the benefits
of learning, staying socially active and being connected with the community are great.
But according to Sarah Taie, positive behaviour
support and autism service manager at SweetTree
Home Care Services, many families are unaware

of the opportunities and support services that are

available to them.
SweetTrees learning disabilities team provides
the highest quality care and support possible
at home and in the community for people with
mild, moderate and severe learning disabilities,
says Sarah.
The team supports those with autism and differing behaviours following a positive behaviour
support model. This person-centred approach
uses proactive interventions and the teaching of
new skills to replace negative behaviours.
The SweetTree model aims to improve quality
of life for both service users and their families by
helping to reduce social barriers, enabling individuals to lead a more active and fulfilling life.
Sarah explains: Supporting people to reach
their full potential is a key aim of SweetTrees
learning disabilities service and we achieve
it by helping clients to build their confidence
and through the development of new skills, while
overall supporting them to lead an active and
fulfilling life.
As a team, we work hard to help signpost
support services and opportunities to families.
This includes offering advice on a range of
issues, from further education and self-directed
support, to voluntary work, supported employment, supported living, leisure activities, advocacy

and benefits advice.

SweetTree has strong links with the local
community, enabling clients to access a wide
variety of new experiences and learning.
SweetTree Fields Farm is a care farm in north
London that has been specially designed to create positive experiences within a safe, nurturing
and social environment. It offers activities ranging
from gardening and horticulture, to woodwork
and animal care, suitable for people of all ages
and abilities. The activities on offer are a great way
to develop new skills, while meeting new people
and building confidence, all within a beautiful
outdoor setting.
SweetTree works closely with Jewish charity
Kisharon, which provides innovative support
for Jewish people with learning disabilities from
age two and beyond through its nursery, school,
college, adult day centres and supported
living programme.
Kisharon chief executive Bev Jacobson says:
Kisharons ethos mirrors SweetTrees, as education is at the heart of all we do. We strive to
provide equal opportunities so individuals can
develop as much independence as possible and
live fully inclusive community lives.
Sarah adds: We know that it is generally
not the learning disability that prevents people
from taking on new challenges, or living more

independently, but the restrictions in the community surrounding them. Having specialist support
can help overcome many of these issues and
relieve any fears that families can have.
Helping families make the transition from
school into adulthood, which can be a stressful
and uncertain time, is just one of the ways we can
help. Signposting services and providing enabling
support that helps individuals to access further
education and stay connected with their local
community, is another.
For more information about the support offered by
SweetTree, call 020 7644 9554 or see sweettree.co.uk

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For more information or to book a tour please contact Lynda Dullop, Director of Admissions:
ldullop@immanuel.herts.sch.uk or 020 8955 8938

E8

The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

A nurserythat lives upto its name

Brigit Grant went to see the little ones having fun at Nagila Pre-School
T

here is nothing quite like painting the walls

on a sunny morning. Dressed appropriately
in their extremely cute full cover aprons adorned
with smiley face stick men, some of the children
at Nagila Pre-School were doing a great job of
decorating the playground wall with water on their
brushes. Meanwhile in the sandpit, a sand/snow
castle was under construction with the foreman
a little girl, naturally encouraging her team to
shovel more sand.
Traditionally, Mondays are not that enjoyable,
but for the children at Nagila it is just another day
at a place they love to be. And they are happy to
tell you so, because these pre-schoolers are very
vocal about the things they like, right down to their
favourite teachers.
While the little ones may have their favourites,
parents would be hard-pressed to single out anybody for special praise at Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Nursery because they are all
friendly, warm and welcoming and, as manager
Milissa Seiler points out, look after the children
as though they were their own. And isnt that
what every Jewish mother wants to hear?
With one teaching professional to every six children, the level of care exceeds expectation and
nothing gets missed.

We got outstanding in our Ofsted report,

which is always reassuring, says Milissa, who has
been at the nursery since 1998. Confirmation that
we are doing the right thing is always helpful, but
we know we are offering a safe, secure and stimulating setting for our children.
Purpose-built with its own outdoor play area,
there is enough space for multiple activities to take
place at once so, while the group outside waterpainted and built castles, inside, paper Israel flags
were being assembled with glue which takes
serious supervision.
With letter and number work, computer skills,
cooking and woodwork as part of their early-learning experience, Nagila pupils are ready for primary
school, and parents who want their children to be
faith-aware, appreciate the inclusion of Jewish festival and Shabbat celebrations.
Parents are also invited to join us for these
occasions as we consider them to be our partners
and the most important educators of their own
children, says Milissa who has places for 40 children at a nursery that truly lives up to its Hebrew
name Rejoice.
For more information, contact Milissa Seiler on
020 8238 1022

Electric
Summer
CAN YOUR SON CREATE incredible electronic
worlds using T Flip-Flop switches and half-bath circuits? Does your daughter eat Bzier curves for
breakfast and script with her eyes closed? If none
of this makes any sense to you fear not, as many
parents feel like they are trapped outside
the Aldous Huxley-style brave new world their
children inhabit. But parental technophobia
doesnt change the fact that after-school coding
clubs have never been more popular and children
as young as six are making their own Powerpoint
presentations, which may give you a clue as to how

your kids might like to spend their summer. Not all

six weeks of it, as family time is essential during the
August hiatus but, at some point during the holidays, your children could be learning essential IT
skills, along with animation and website design, 3D
printing and drone coding at a FunTech Day Camp
in Hampstead and at St Albans or Northwood.
As well as developing new academic and tech
skills, our camps are also a fantastic opportunity
to meet similar creative, ambitious young
people, explains FunTechs Philip Barber, who
could intrigue the most reticent computer-user with
his enthusiasm for virtual reality technology.
It is also worth remembering parents often
struggle to get their children off the computer to
take a screen break and get some fresh air. With
our tutors who are some of the best in the country
day campers are encouraged to push boundaries
on screen as they learn, but are also taken outside
to nearby playing fields for ball games and general
letting off steam.
Suffice it to say that each day is very well planned
at these Ofsted-registered FunTech academies,
which allow would-be technological masters (and
mistresses) to get a head start in subjects that
fascinate them. Remember that Minecraft Redstone, Game Pro with Oculus Rift and Java Coder
may sound like characters from Star Wars to you,

aid and special educational needs.

Available for those aged six to 18, FunTech
Camps will not only keep your children occupied
in a way they will enjoy this summer but, when they
go back to school, their computer and technology
skills will be at a more advanced level. And, if they
are willing to share some of what they have learnt
at the end of each day, so will you.
To find out more about FunTech summer camps,
visit: funtechsummercamps.com/camps, or call
01628 621215

but for the young people who share your house

they are important.
We encourage parents to contact us if they
need reassurance over any matter, or if they would
like to simply discuss their childrens suitability for
one of our classes, says Philip.
FunTech has been trusted by thousands of
parents to not only provide their children with
a truly memorable teaching experience in the
school holidays, but to do so in a safe and stimulating environment with tutors who are highly
trained in their area of expertise, as well as in first

www.jewishnews.co.uk

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

E9

E10

The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Swimmingly Well
Teaching kids to be confident
in the water is essential, but
where they learn also matters
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and I dont
mind the instructor being strict because my
swimming has got better and better.
If Poolside Manor need a glowing reference,
eight-year-old Kai would be the child to ask
as he had his goggles down long before his
lesson was due to start. I was three when I
had my first lesson... or was I four? he
asked his mother.
Regardless of when his lessons commenced
at the Finchley pool, he is now a veteran along
with lots of other equally enthusiastic children
who have lessons there. As my own daughter

day camps. The pool itself has an extended

shallow end to build beginner confidence and
the length is scaled by a purpose-built viewing
gallery for spectators. Watching Madison improve her front crawl in a single session was
certainly encouraging, but did she want to
come back? Id like to do the crash course
which is 30 minutes every day, she said. I think
well be seeing a lot more of Poolside Manor.

Madison got to sample the teaching first hand,

I can see how it has become Londons leading
independent swimming tuition centre and the
fact its a family-run business with long-serving
staff is reassuring.
Maureen Lipman opened Poolside Manor
in 1988, says receptionist Sharon who has
been there forever. Its a great place to work
and we have so much going on. And they
do.From term-time tuition for children to swimming classes for parents & toddlers, adults and
school groups of all abilities, there are also holiday crash courses, aquafit session and just to

Pondering a crash course at Poolside Manor

keep themselves busy, theres the Multi-Actvity

Camps for 3-11 year-olds held at neighbouring
St Marys Primary School.
Our programmes are never the same as
each week is themed differently, explains
Sharon. They do everything - sports, craft and
art, dance, drama, games and visiting performers come in. The children also get to swim
which gives it a big advantage over other holi-

British Emunah:

Mothers and Toddlers waterside welcome

EDUCATING ISRAELS
AT RISK CHILDREN

We provide specialist
educational support at
our residential homes

We provide preschool
education & parenting
skills classes

Our two vocational high

schools help girls with
special educational needs
and social problems

Please support our educational work in

Israel by donating at emunah.org.uk or
calling 020 8203 6066.
Follow British Emunah

British Emunah Fund - Registered charity number 215398

If your kids love the water make a birthday splash with a pool party followed by tea

www.jewishnews.co.uk

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

E11

A Reel Education
A UK Jewish Film initiative giving young people a chance to make movies and document
history provided a unique opportunity. Brigit Grant spoke to the lucky participants

ICHAEL ITALIAANDER was five when

he saw his first film. His parents took
him to The Foresters picturehouse
nicknamed The Fair between Bow and
Aldgate and together they sat on old
benches and ate peanuts. Michael cant
remember exactly which film he saw, but his
recollections of the cinemas that thrived in
the area in 1928 are pin-sharp and
he joyfully shares his big screen memories
when a sixpence got you two features,
a cartoon, a newsreel and full accompaniment on the Wurlitzer organ.

It is Michaels recollections along with those of

other elderly Jewish people
that have been recorded for
posterity as part of a
unique UK Jewish Filmbased education project
run in partnership with
Jewish Care and supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund.
Called Lights, Chutzpah,
Action! which could be a mantra for the entire Jewish film business, the project offered
young people the opportunity to research
the involvement of British Jewry in film and
cinema heritage in the UK and create their
own short films about the findings.
The group of young volunteers who got
this whirlwind education in film making were
from the Noam Masorti Youth Movement
and their programme included research
visits to the British Film Institute and The

Jewish Museum ; training in oral history

skills; working with professional filmmakers;
making short films and getting talks from
professional journalists.
Hilla Abramov, 25 from Hampstead Garden
Suburb had just finished her Masters in Contemporary French Philosophy when she got a place
on the programme and has only good things to
say about it.
The mentors were all incredibly helpful and
gave us practical insight into the film and editing process and we also got introduced to lots
of different people in the business which was
incredibly useful.
So useful that Hilla now has
her first job as a runner on a
TV documentary series and
though Noah Libson is just
doing A Levels at JFS, his experience on the project has
also got him thinking about a
career in film.
The part of LCA I enjoyed
the most was the opportunity
to use highly professional
equipment and have the
chance to develop film ideas
and interview people, says

Noah. I feel like the experience

has definitely enhanced my technical skills, and given me invaluable
knowledge about film production.
Lights, Chutzpah, Action ! was a
dream project for those who wanted
to get a taste of the industry right
down to a premiere, as that is how
the films will be showcased in July at
a celebratory screening event at The

The Troxy opened in 1933 with Kin

g Kong
Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley.
This was an incredible project and the
group have made some really cool films,
says Rachel Burns, Education Manager at
UK Jewish Film. Part of what they did included a fabulous heritage coach tour of
cinemas from the East End to East Finchley
visiting classic venues such as The Troxy.
One of the young peoples films in fact
focuses on two peoples memories of The
Troxy. The funding for this has run for 10
months and in this sense has been a one off,
but a key objective of UKJFs education programme is to create better aware-

to
oxy as it is
r
T
e
h
t
d
n
...a

day

ness of British-Jewish heritage, looking at the diversity of the community, its history, origins, and
contribution to British society.
UK Jewish Films Hackney Roots project (hackneyroots.org) produced a freely available online
resource that is supported by workshops for
schools, and they are developing other heritage
project along these lines in other areas.
With further funding, we would be delighted
to continue collecting memories of Jewish film
and cinema, adds Rachel. To broaden and
deepen our knowledge and understanding still
further is always our goal.
The film interviews will also be hosted on a bespoke
website with downloadable learning resources
available to schools and youth groups.
For more information see ukjewishfilm.org

E12

The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

What about us?

Tired of bouncy castles, Brigit Grant decided
to show her daughter more interesting ways
A musical education
at British Summertim
to have fun and broaden her knowledge
e

Madison
Making Picasso fun for

have nothing but admiration for parents who

spend hours at soft play centres but, for me,
it was always perdition with inflatables. There
is just something about those windowless enviroments with acoustics enhancing the screams
of happy children that always made me want to
slam my foot on the accelerator whenever I saw
the sign to ClownTown or Kidzone.
I didnt, of course, as it is our duty as parents to
give little ones time in germ-ridden ball pools, but
for that sacrifice I made sure all other outings were
adult as well as kid-friendly. This began with Marcel
Duchamp at Tate Modern when my daughter was
18 months old. What she made of Dali and
Picasso wasnt easy to assess, but she loved crawling down the sloping floor of the Turbine Hall
entrance and was welcomed into the members
bar with her equally small friend, Poppy.

By the time she was two, she was at

the Serpentine Gallery looking at
paintings that did nothing for me
either, but at three knew the ones
she liked at The Royal Academy
Summer Exhibition (13 June
21 August). The Hampton Court
Flower Show (5 10 July) has
become a perennial for her as dad
loves flowers and she can now name
some in Latin, but not as confidently as
she can list the hits of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Music can unite children and adults like
no other medium and, being considerably
older than the parents of her nine-year-old
friends, means we have taught our daughter to
hum both Bowie and Bieber. This morning she
was singing along to Carole Kings So Far Away,
in preparation for British Summer Times Carole
King concert in Hyde Park on 3 July. Performing
her legendary Tapestry album in its entirety live
for the first time is a monumental event for Kings
fans, including my daughter who doesnt like to

Summer Oer

Student Membership
3 Month Membership only 99
Please quote Jewish News when joining

Royal Academy Summer

Carole King and Stevie W

onder

go to concerts unless she knows the repertoire.

She also swots up on the singers backgrounds
and was amazed to discover Carole is Jewish.
Lots of great songwriters are, I said, to which
she replied; Wow, so Stevie Wonder is Jewish?
Prepping for Stevies BST Songs in the Key
of Life concert at Hyde Park on 10 July is a
big job for anyone, but with a line-up that
includes Pharrell Williams and Corinne Bailey
Rae, its going to be a concert we will all
remember. As good as Nile Rodgers and
better than Tom Jones, confirms my daughter who does go on primarily child-focused
outings.
Somewhere like Paradise Wildlife Park in
Broxbourne, which is the nearest place to
home to see a snow leopard, tickle a tapir and
Exhibition meet a meercat. With opportunities to shadow
a zookeeper, have a jungle sleepover and take
tea with the tigers, it certainly has the edge
over coffee at soft play.

COMPETITION
a pair of tickets to BSTs

1st June 2016 14th August 2016 only

x
x
x
x
x

re with Madison
Earth Wind and Fi

WI N CAROLE KING on 3 July 2016

a pair of tickets to BSTs
WIN Take That on 9 July 2016
WI N

Terms and Condi ons apply

Must be over 16 years of age
Proof of student status will be required
No freeze permi ed during 3 month period
Last purchase date 14th August 2016

a family ticket for four to

Paradise Wildlife Park

TO ENTER go to the competition page on

Jewishnews.co.uk
For more information on British Summer Time visit
www.bst-hydepark.com

See Recepon for more details

Friday, 1 July Massive Attack / Patti Smith

Saturday, 2 July Florence + The Machine / Kendrick Lamar / Jamie XX
Sunday, 3 July Carole King / Don Henley / Louise Goffin
Friday, 8 July Mumford & Sons / Alabama Shakes
Saturday, 9 July Take That / Olly Murs / Ella Eyre
Sunday, 10 July Stevie Wonder / Pharrell Williams / Corinne Bailey Rae

Contact
ContactUs
us

As good as Nile Rodgers?

For Paradise Wildlife Park, visit www.pwpark.com

or call 01992 470490

www.jewishnews.co.uk

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

E13

Working mums
Struggling to hold it all together? Michelle
Melzack is the expert with solutions

t is one of the toughest deciand other craft activity, making

sions a woman ever has to
dental and doctor appointments;
make. To stay at home with
buying the shopping and running
the miracle she has brought
a home. Its full on and one day
into the world or return to work
just dissolves into another.
For all that many women do,
and leave it with someone else?
the feelings of guilt are more
Not just any someone, as dotemotionally distressing than
ing grandparents, DBS-checked
they initially let on and they also
childminders or a nursery are
feel guilty for not always being
available to care for babies. But
able to cope and are mentally,
with most women returning to
emotionally and physically
work out of necessity rather
exhausted. Of course, there are
than choice, the burden of guilt
many hands-on dads too who
for doing so is enormous and
are able and happy to share the
remains one of the most consis- Child expert Michelle Melzack
load, but the guilt is more acute
tent problems I deal with when
in mothers as children tend to want more
families ask for my help.
And it isnt surprising. Juggling full or part-time of mums attention. And thats the rub. When
work with getting the children up, washed, mum is at work, she feels guilty for not being
dressed, fed and ready for childcare or school is with them and when she is, everything else that
as exhausting as it reads and this labour intensive needs to be done impacts on the quality time
pattern is a daily one, although to that she would she has to spend with them. And the children
add the preparing of lunch she hasnt had time to know it, which raises an entirely different set
sort the night before; the helping with homework of issues.

THERE ARE SOME GOLDEN RULES

Always praise the positive behaviour and ignore the negative and dont spend huge
amounts of time going over why they shouldnt do it. Choose your battles. If its not dangerous or life-threatening, dont spend time with them telling them off.

Try not to get involved between the siblings arguing. Do use distraction techniques. Do tell
them you dont want to hear them arguing and walk away. Suggest a game to play. If you
give your children choices and options, it will become a matter of course for you and for them.
You will hear them take it to their relationships with their siblings or friends.

There will be times that they want whatever it is they want and no amount of negotiating
will work. Dont be hard on yourself or feel that you are doing something wrong. Just go with
it. Lower your tone, too. Raising your voice becomes a competition as to who can scream louder;
set the example.

If you know that one of your children wouldnt enjoy a particular activity or play date, do not
get drawn into doing it. You will set yourself and your child up for an aggravated couple of
hours. It happens a lot and, if you can avoid it, do. Respecting your child has likes, dislikes and
opinions will give you the conversation topics and build on the foundations of a solid relationship.
What we are all trying our very best to achieve are well-balanced, respectful children with an
optimistic personality and positive feelings of self-worth.

If something has happened and its important to you that you punish your child, do so, but
keep the conversation brief. What you did was really unacceptable and that behaviour will
not be tolerated. Dont stand around to listen to the excuses. Give the child time out. However,
after the punishment has been carried out, and you are reinforcing that the behaviour shouldnt
happen again, move on without giving the session any more thought.
There should be one punishment per action. So if you were planning something, dont cancel it if
you have already punished the child. The same works with school; support the schools action
regarding the behaviour. Have a brief conversation about it; however, if the school has carried out
a punishment, there is no need for you to do so, too.

We could all do with a helping hand sometimes. Mothers most of all. But it is worth remembering that children learn from what they see, not what they are told and a woman who is trying
to do the best she can is a role model to admire. Think about that the next time you feel guilty.

Michelle Melzack, author of Charlies Cream Tea

Child Behaviour Management
michellemelzack@gmail.com

HOW TO COPE ....

Our patience and tolerance levels are very low when we are in robotic mode. When the children
start playing up, we have a tendency not to deal with the behaviour straight away because we are
making allowances for not being there for them. So the nagging and whining behaviour gets the
child what they are asking for, whatever it may be. As they grow older, they know how to press the
buttons. Children use that against us because we find it too hard to be consistent. Its easier to
give in to them with whatever they are harassing us for. We also think they will love us more.
My job is to tell mothers that they wont! Working one parent off against the other is as old as time.
Give children credit, they understand that mummy and daddy have to work in order to provide.
This shows them self-worth, dedication, discipline, commitment and organisation skills, which
children will need as a core value when they grow up.

WANT TO HAVE YOUR

VOICE HEARD?
The Jewish News in partnership with the Union of Jewish Students
(UJS) has a dedicated online student section and we are always
looking for contributors. Whether youre passionate about arts,
science, culture, politics or anything in-between, we want to hear
from you.
For more information email
natashaw@ujs.org.uk or
jackm@thejngroup.com
To find out more about UJS,
visit www.ujs.org.uk

E14

The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Fancy learning
something new?
Once the children are at school all day it is possible to go back
to work, start your own business or learn a foreign language.
Debbie Lightman meets the educators who make that happen

F THE VERY THOUGHT of studying,

triggers flashbacks involving unintelligible textbooks, yawn-inducing lectures
and all-night, caffeine-assisted essay
writing, then youre not alone.
For those of us who long ago, swapped
our desk jobs for domesticity, the
prospect of dusting off those cerebral
cobwebs and going back to the books,
can be daunting.
However, there are a number of Jewish
organisations out there, whose primary
aim is to make learning accessible and fun,
whatever your age or background.
So whether you dream of pursuing a new
career or simply fancy taking up a new
hobby, theres a course out there for YOU.

Back to work
EMMA MAY, head of employment at
Work Avenue a Jewish charity based in
Finchley, north London which empowers people to secure work or build a business sees a
huge number of women walk through their
doors, wishing to work following a career break.
Women often consider working again when
their youngest child starts primary or secondary
school or when their children have completed
their education, explains Emma. We also see
many women who gave up a career to raise a
family, but find themselves single again in their
40s or 50s. All these women need help rebuilding their confidence.
Emma and her team offer all their clients
free, confidential, one to one careers advice.
They also run a series of invaluable workshops,
including sessions on job readiness,
interview skills, transferable skills, networking
skills and workplace skills.
Our workshops upskill a person in the field
of employability, says Emma, we keep groups
small, so people can have their questions addressed properly.
In addition, the charity has recently launched
a series of one day Microsoft Office courses,
with training in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Plus, later in the year the annual 'Women in
the Workplace Conference' will take place,
which will include talks and sessions on issues

Women come to Work Avenue hoping to find a way back into the work place after a career break

surrounding returning to work as well as starting a business.

Together with careers advice, Emmas team
also find their clients work experience and are
instrumental in placing them in permanent
jobs.
Peoples strengths typically lie in the skills
they were exercising in their first career, shares
Emma. However, there are people that retrain
completely. Ive seen lots of people requalify in
caring careers from psychotherapy to chiropody. One client became a nurse, despite not
having a medical background. It involves intensive study and you have to be focussed. There
are costs involved, implications on your family
and decisions about childcare. But it can definitely be done.
For more information, visit
theworkavenue.org.uk

sted rating, offers a one year SCITT (School

Centred Initial Teaching Training) which combines study at LSJS with a placement in a high
performing primary school or The School Direct

programme, where youll be paid to teach in

the classroom while you learn.
Becoming a teacher is far from easy, but
LSJSs communication and programme manager, Rabbi Yaacov Finn, has seen plenty of
women with families successfully requalify.
Weve seen women with children complete
both types of courses. School Direct is aimed
at people who have a few years post university
experience in any career. The government created that scheme, for example, for accountants
who want to retrain as maths teachers. The
SCITT programme is also achievable. It is full
on, but it works around the school holidays.
However, if youre looking for something a
little less intense, LSJS offer a fascinating selection of short adult education courses. From
the popular Monday morning Surprises from
the Bookshelf Literature class to an evening
course answering Modern Jewish Questions,
on everything from surrogacy to euthanasia, to
a womens Midrasha Lunch and Learn.
People choose to study with us because
were known for the quality of our teachers and
courses, enthuses Rabbi Finn. Plus all our lessons are conducted in an open and relaxed environment. Our range of courses really does
interest a wide range of people. I would recommend them all.

For more information visit lsjs.ac.uk

Time for school

IF YOUVE always wanted to retrain as a
teacher, its worth checking out the London
School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) which offers
two teacher training courses. The Hendon
based institution, which has an Outstanding Of-

The Women in the Workplace Conference builds confidence in those heading back to work

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Just for fun

EVERY WEEK, more than 4000 people attend
JW3s vast array of classes. The North London
Jewish Community Centre offers courses in every
conceivable subject from current affairs to bike
maintenance to Israeli self-defence, Krav Maga.
JW3 programmer Will Jennings is among the
team organising this seasons events. One of the
great things about our centre, is the opportunity
it offers people to try new things, he beams. All
our courses are great quality and topical, with
fresh content. We value our visitors feedback, so
we constantly introduce new classes, while remaining true to favourite, traditional offerings.
However, its not just the sessions themselves
that have people returning time and time again.
Its also about the friendships that develop in the
classes, reveals Will, and, of course, the caf!
Just a quick flick through the summer brochure,

19 May 2016 The Jewish News

E15

reveals language classes in French, Hebrew and

Arabic at all levels, at various times of the day.
Or, if you prefer a more intensive course, theres
a two-week summer ulpan.
Among the culinary classes, theres a Baking
Without Sugar workshop, with cookbook author
Elbie Lebrecht, where you can discover how to
create delicious sweet treats, without a dollop of
guilt.
Or you can unleash your artistic talents at
JW3s own art school. This July, for four consecutive days, practicing artists will teach screen
printing, clay portraiture, hand-quilting and art
book creation.
Give it a go! advises Will, If youre not sure
if you want to do a whole course then just sign up
for a single class and see what its all about. Whatever your age, theres no harm in trying new
things.
For more information visit jw3.org.uk

Classes at JW3
are available in
everything from
learning a language and selfdefence to
cooking and
quilting.

E16

The Jewish News 19 May 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

21% OF PEOPLE IN THE UK

DONT HAVE IT SKILLS

Learn IT in a day

Excel

Word

Outlook

Powerpoint

C_Yheie\jE\Y[9ekhi[i
When Mondays from May to July
Where WE Hub, Finchley N3
Levels Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Costs 60 per day
35 per day for Work Avenue clients
To register your interest call Work Avenue
on 020 8371 3280 or email
reception@theworkavenue.org.uk
www.theworkavenue.org.uk/itcourses
Charity Number 1164762