JFS and JCoSS

[Cookiewise]

Does anyone have kids who go to either of these schools. I would really like my ds's to go to one or the other. I would love to hear from current parents on both the academic and social aspects of both schools.

I am also curious to know if either schools have a more mixed intake than before (i.e. non-Jews) because of the religious practice ruling? I would like my children to mix with a variety of children from different backgrounds but like the idea of traditional Jewish education too.

[indigo11]

Hi I am thinking of applying to those schools too and would to hear from anyone who can respond to the above post .

[ShaynePunim]

My daughter (JCoSS) has only one non-Jewish kid in her class but I think has a lot of patrilieal Jews (so who wouldn't have been accepted at JFS before the ruling).

Definitely lots of backgrounds and all levels of observance, which is great.

Staff super motivated and involved, high expectations for behaviour and work. My daughter got a detention for her phone ringing in class (well done, Dad!) but at least now she will remember to turn her phone off!

Rules are very clear and there's a good system of rewards for good behaviour too.

Lessons seem a bit too easy so far in many subjects, but well taught.

[indigo11]

Hmmm yes I was there with my son last night for open evening. He is currently in year 6 but commented that the the year 7 and 8 maths looked easy. I like the school though and am off to the open evening at JFS next week.

I would love to hear if anyone has any feedback about any of these schools.

Thanks

[Nearlyyear5]

We were also at JCOSS last night along with every other parent in NW London, they apparently had over 2300 people register to attend. There was a lot of it that we really liked, I was impressed with the head, the children seemed delightful, the building is amazing and I thought that it had a great vibe but I also have questions over the academics. They stressed that the children are working up to 18 months ahead of where they should be but it is such an unknown quantity, I am not sure that I want to take the risk of a school with no results. I suspect that the results will be on par with those at Yavneh and JFS but it is early days.

We are also off to look at JFS next week and I am really looking forward to seeing it properly. The results speak for themselves, they are as good as all but the very best private schools year on year and their track record of preparing and getting children into Oxbridge and RG universities is amazing. I am about 95% certain it will be our first choice with Yavneh second and JCOSS third. I preferred JCOSS to Yavneh but the fact that Yavneh has results swings it. We are also sitting a couple of privates, most likely Belmont / Mill Hill and City purely incase the worse happens and we get none of our choices but will more than likely hoping for JFS.

[anothermakesthree]

Hi. I have a daughter in yr7 at JCOSS and another daughter due to start September 2013. I was always wary about how much reliance I placed on comments made on mumsnet about secondary schools, particularly these two very different Jewish schools, as I think another member commented, everybody has their own agenda.

I made my mind up by making several visits, not just the large open days, but also the smaller tours which gave an opportunity to talk to senior members of staff and actually see the children in class, responding to their teachers. Both JCOSS & JFS do these. Look at the detail, not just the results.

I never felt JCOSS was 'untested'. A bit of research into the key members of staff helped there.

We are absolutely delighted with our decision. My child has completed a superb induction, is extremely happy AND being challenged academically (she was L6 literacy/L5a maths in the June SATS). Most schools don't take the SAT gradings that seriously, so spend time at the beginning of year 7 going over work to see what the kids actually know (particularly in maths & science), maybe some kids find this 'easy' but it is pretty much standard practice. Having checked with some parents at other schools (private/state) with children in yr7, my daughter seems to be working at the same level with similar amounts of homework. All fantastic so far.

[Nearlyyear5]

Anothermakesthree. Thank you so much for your comments, it is very reassuring. I thought that JCOSS had a lovely feel and I will be going back to have another look. I have to say that the tours on the open evening weren't very well organised particularly in relation to the other schools we have looked at and one particular member of staff was very rude to us but others were absolutely delightful so I would be very interested in seeing the school and classes in action on a regular day. It didn't click for me as the ideal place for my child but it will be one of our options and if it is the one that we get I will be more than happy.

[Cookiewise]

Great, just seen all these replies. Especially loved the comments on JCoSS.

[Larva]

I would love to know the results of the various people who nave posted about choices for this year where their children were offered places for Sep 2913? My DCs are at a non Jewish State Primary and from the 'lottery' places this year not many who opted for Jewish schools got their places.