The country's first inclusive Jewish secondary school is to open in East Barnet in September 2009 after the Government gave it the go-ahead on Monday.

The Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) will be open to all Jewish children, irrespective of their parentage or synagogue affiliation, and aims to discourage religious factionalism.

The Government rejected a £46 million bid for funding in October last year, but the decision was re-assessed and it was decided the school will act as a pilot to help parents influence school provision.

JCoSS will be built in Westbrook Crescent on one of East Barnet School's two current sites. In return, East Barnet School will be rebuilt as one school on its other current site, in Chestnut Grove, East Barnet, by September 2007. As part of the Government's funding deal, a new school will also be built on the site of the closed Christ Church School, in Hilton Avenue, North Finchley.

Plans for the JCoSS development include a specialist 50-place unit for children aged between 11 and19 with a range of severe and complex learning disabilities.

Jonathan Fingerhut, joint chairman of JCoSS, said: "This announcement will be hugely welcomed across the community. JCoSS is a tangible demonstration that the Jewish community can work together for the benefit of us all, especially for our children."

More than 300 parents have already registered an interest in their child attending the school.

Headteacher of East Barnet School, Nick Christou said: "It is wonderful to know that, finally, the children of East Barnet School will be able to learn in a 21st Century environment."

Councillor John Marshall, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: "This is a triple win for Barnet. It means that the Christ Church site can be used again for schooling and will relieve the fears of residents that it might become a housing site. I am delighted that the JCoSS proposal will go ahead."