JFS /Yavneh College

[nearlyyear5]

Does anyone have children in these schools and how good are they really? I know that they both have an outstanding Ofsted in every category and that the academic results for JFS are amazing for a comprehensive but are they as good as they seem to be? We are in a real quandry about whether to concentrate our efforts on these schools or go for private secondary. The DC's are very able and motivated and currently in Jewish primaries where the expectation is that they will move to one of these schools so it's very hard to get an objective view as to whether they're as good as we're led to believe.

I'm looking for them to be challenged academically but to be happy and motivated in a school with good discipline, where children are expected to work to the best of their abilities and are supported where they struggle. I'm also looking for excellent and varied sport and I know nothing about the sport in these schools but it's a very important consideration for us.

Resh - the cupboard is not a myth - the Head stressed it as one of the benefits of the school at the Open Day! ie strict discipline policy. I saw the blooming cupboard (well, small, windowless room that the dcs are locked in) with my own eyes. So it is factual.

I was the OP here and am surprised to see this post resurrected. We are now a year further down the line and our forms will go in this September. We are putting JFS as our first choice as it is a tried and tested option with a strong track record and our DS preferred it. Having said that, we liked Yavneh very much and will be putting it second. We have lots of friends with children there and they are all very happy with it. Yavneh have been very supportive of those with SEN and all the children we know have come on very well. The able have been challenged and have achieved fantastic GCSE results. They are also being well prepared for university applications and there is strong support and active encouragement towards Oxbridge. The head is strong, she takes no nonsense and that suits us very well. I'm just really not keen on the scruffy uniform but hey, you can't have everything.

Like i said, it's marmite. Plenty of people like it; plenty hate it. As long as you're happy with your choices, that's what matters.

Just to compare - at JFS, 87% got 5 good GCSEs, with 51% getting the Bac. At Yavneh, it's 82% and 23%. So draw your own conclusions as to which is a better school.

I'm not sure what the margin of error is for the 87/82 difference, but i'd be surprised if that difference says anything but that the two groups are broadly similar.

Good, as long as you're happy with it. I found the school's attitude rude and disrespectful to both parents and children, and the head ghastly, but different strokes and all that.

I find this thread by chance. My son is at yavneh. It is a modern orthodox school with a good organization and severe in a visible way with the odd few trouble makers. My guess is that B&B knows a couple of the trouble makers. Hopefully they already made the switch to another school.

What do people think of Immanuel?

I'd never send a child there - live just round the corner, where the spoilt brats sixth formers park the expensive little cars given to them by mummy and daddy and have a crafty fag or three. They're rude - they nearly ran over my kids because they weren't looking where they were going and then shouted abuse! No idea about the standard of education but dreadful manners.

Sorry to resurrect this thread but also keen on up to date thoughts of Yavneh vs JFS ?

I have a DS at JFS and he is very happy there. He is very enthusiastic about his lessons and does a lot of extra-curricular activities. Academic standards are generally high. Lots of opportunities to pursue any interests you may have. The children come from all over North London and from a variety of different backgrounds.

The children at Yavneh are mainly local to the school, and the school is smaller, so quite a different type of school. But both schools have similar academic results. Yavneh has a new Head - I haven't heard much about him so not sure what he is like or how he might change the school.

DD is at Yavneh and can only echo the above point about both schools. JFS currently has the edge on 6th form at the moment, they had 16 to Oxbridge last year and Yavneh only had 2 but both send virtually everyone to Russell Group uni's. I will be keeping an eye on Yavneh's 6th form, last year was only their 2nd set of homegrown i.e children coming up from year 7, results. I would be expecting to see 8-10 a year to Oxbridge over the next few years. DD unlikely to be such material but if she is then I would probably consider a move to JFS or private for 6th form as given the intake Yavneh should be working towards getting similar numbers proportionally into Oxbridge as JFS.

Its a complicated answer. It's a good school but theres so much that needs work. The mental health system is terrible. There has been a few talks about mh but they don't actually do anything to show they care for the students mentally which is so important. A student killed himself and nothing much was done. it was disappointing. The school and students actually reminds me of 13 reasons why. The education system does need work.

I would also love to know what people think of Immanuel College in Bushey. Thanks.

@Parentingteens76 this thread is 13 years old and its title refers to different schools than the one you're asking about.

For a better chance of relevant replies, I suggest you start a new thread with Immanuel College, Bushey in the title.