Three Jewish primary schools in north London are set to change the face of Jewish education.
Moriah Jewish Day School, Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School and Wolfson Hillel Primary School will form the first Jewish community Multi Academy Trust (MAT) later this year.
The Government approved MAT enables a group of schools to combine learning resources and teaching expertise whilst retaining their individual identity.
Moriah in Pinner, and Sacks Morasha, in Finchley, both have over 200 pupils and Wolfson Hillel has over 450 pupils.
The development of the network has been facilitated and supported by the United Synagogue
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and the US will select trustees.
US President Michael Goldstein described the proposed new MAT as a “huge milestone in our community’s Jewish education”.
“The strength of the US lies in its bringing together many wonderful local communities, each with their own identity, each contributing in their own way to the success of the whole,” he said.
“The new MAT will bring new strength to its schools whether through sharing successful models of strategic implementation, cost efficiencies or providing staff development opportunities.”
Mr Goldstein added: “The new MAT will take some of the best schools in the UK and help them to become even better.
“By aligning The US and our local communities with the new MAT we will be part of a framework that brings our Jewish tradition to life across young people’s lives at home, at school and as part of the wider Jewish community.
“This is the birth of an approach to Jewish schooling that will promote a continuing growth of excellence.”
MAT’s will have access to a wide range of lay members and professional teaching staff, whilst parents can expect successful activities and practices in one school to be shared throughout the network.
Current and future teaching staff will enjoy enhanced skills development and career opportunities.
The new network will benefit from greater fundraising capabilities, developments in educational technology and the capability of forging links with similar Jewish schools overseas.
Headteachers and governing bodies will continue to manage their school and remain a key part of its local community but will be linked to the MAT rather than the Local Authority.
Staff will have opportunities to work in different schools, but will not be required to transfer between them.
Each school will continue to connect pupils to their Jewish heritage whilst following the religious leadership of the Chief Rabbi who has welcomed the initiative.
Schools will still undertake Ofsted and Pikuach inspection, there will be no change to admission procedures, religious guidelines or relationships with local rabbis.
Each school are to make a presentation for parents where they will take questions.
Comments must be submitted by March 16.
Further details are available from respective schools.