Children driven to school by their mothers will be turned away.

[iWantToBeAlone]

Standard link.

It's an Orthodox Jewish school in north London. I hope that law steps in, I don't see how this can be legal.

I live in NE London, very close to a large Jewish community, and without meaning to be incredibly offensive (although I am) I find it a very bizarre insular religion. They have different ambulances, their own shops, public transport, and even a different section of the bank, as the most extreme believers won't speak to a non-Jew. For me, as someone who doesn't follow any religion, all they are doing is teaching their children to be sexist, rude and judgemental.

I find it a very difficult religion to understand, completely prehistoric and unfitting with modern society.

And if their aunties or an older sister drives them? Or a grandmother? Or au pair or childminder? hmm what if the au pair isn't a practising Jew but was raised in a Jewish family, is that OK?
from what i have understood this morning, that wouldn't be ok to be responsible for these kids.
disclaimer: opnion based on 30mins research

Well it's a novel way to combat the whole school run traffic/parking nightmare.

Tbh If it is a private school I doubt the council/goverment/Ofsted could do much. The experience I have of these schools is that they don't teach in English much and won't allow women into the classroom (for boys schools) not mothers, not professions involved in SEN assessments.

Littleducks, my children are at an independent school and whilst they are not routinely inspected, ofsted can do a spot inspection if it's decided that student safety or mental welfare are in danger.

I would think that the school was run seperately and ofsted would have little or no power

This is why IMO all schools should be LA run and everyone should go to the local school. No special cases, no choice, no faith discrimination.
Also agree when I am in charge there will be restrictions on parking and traffic calming with a view to strongly encouraging NO driving of DC to school.

For members of this community, this is going to be just one more of the restrictive rules that they live their whole lives by.

I'm sure lots of the women from the community are equally disapproving as the men are of women driving - and to be honest, I'm actually slightly surprised they are "allowed" to anyway.

I assume it is because the area is notionally "enclosed" (can't remember what the special term is) which allows women slightly more freedom, so probably they would only have been allowed to drive within this special area anyway. I think it's the case that without it being a special enclosed area, women wouldn't even be able to leave their own house on a Saturday.

That's interesting itsnotperfect I never knew that!!

The school has an Ofsted grading I believe (good ). I guess you can't opt out of that bit of Ofsted. I'm assuming it's not in the state system but equally assume it is bound by the laws on discrimination anyway.

It may also be a registered charity - I wonder whether a rule such as this would be in breach of Charity Commission guidance?

I'm so glad I'm an atheist. I don't agree in faith schools at all.

Is it an eruv, Tamar?

Their own section in the bank because they so t speak to non Jews? Beyond ridiculous.... Who decided it's ok to indulge this?

What would happen if groups of other people walked among this enclosed area? It's a normal london street where they pay council tax? Bin men? Postmen?police patrol?

'This is why IMO all schools should be LA run and everyone should go to the local school. No special cases, no choice, no faith discrimination.
Also agree when I am in charge there will be restrictions on parking and traffic calming with a view to strongly encouraging NO driving of DC to school'

Love this. All of it

I can't quite believe that someone seriously suggested 'live and let live'. They are banning adult women from driving! How can that be in any way ok? We've all become so obsessed with the magic word 'choice' - it gets used to explain away all sorts of things. I don't drive, don't have a licence - I live in East London and a car would be more of a PITA than anything helpful. However, if I wanted to, I could choose to get driving lessons and buy a car. That's choice.

I grew up in a devoutly religious household and community (Catholic) and unless you grow up and get away and develop your own mind and your own life, you have zero choice in any of the decisions that get made for you by the religious leaders. Anyone who is suggesting that women who have a problem with it can always leave is being either stupid or disingenous.

Yet another example of why all schools should be religiously neutral.

Yes, Eruv, that's it. Other people can walk in it.
It's just a symbolic designation - I think they usually enclose it with wires on poles. It's so that (on Saturdays) you can do things that are normally only permitted in a private area, in a public area. Like carry things, push pushchairs etc.

Wires on poles, and the LA allow this?

It'sNotAsPerfectAsItSeems, these schools are really different in character, very isolated. When you go in nobody speaks around you in English and the children don't really speak to outsiders at all. I would hope an Ofsted investigation would be greeted with openess and honesty but I think it might not be the case.

Wires on poles? Children encouraged not to speak to outsiders? How is that supposed to be preparing children for life in the UK in the 21st century? Absolutely appalling.

I'm guessing the OP hasn't ever given a thought to how growing up in this community affects children prior to reading this story.

No I had not heard of this sect before but I don't see why this is relevant. I'm also interested in the other main monotheistic religions and the rules they have that are at odds with my own beliefs, especially where it has a real impact on the society I live in. The reason I started a thread about this issue is because I heard the story today and wanted to share it. Is that alright with you?

Yes it's all pretty awful. Why the hell do we permit any of this?

I remember the Eruvs being in the news a few years ago, I think when they went up. Everyone was trying to be accommodating in a "live and let live" sort of way. But we shouldn't live and let live on this stuff. It's used to control people and limit people's exposure to other ways of thinking. Again, that's not a live and let live issue. Why do we make space in our public life and in our public areas for this sort of nonsense?

'But we shouldn't live and let live on this stuff'

Completely agree

I am familiar with the area of London in question having lived and taught there for ten years. The schools are fee paying, but low price I believe. I have never seen a woman from this group driving interestingly enough and many prefer not to use public transport in order to avoid people not of their faith.

And I completely agree with PP that there shouldn't be any faith schools. I can only assume that no government would get rid of them as it might not be a vote winner.