3:50pm Tuesday 2nd March 2010
By Harriet Marsh
PUPILS have applied in their droves to attend a unique school opening in East Barnet in September.
Today the Jewish Community Secondary School, the first of its kind in the UK, sent out 175 offers for its first year, and has set up a waiting list to cope with demand.
A further five places at the £50 million state-of-the-art school, in Westbrook Crescent, will be offered after applications from children with special needs have been considered.
Chair of Governors Mike Grabiner said: "The number of applications has exceeded all our expectations and we are extremely pleased.
"If JCoSS can attract so many students before it has even opened, imagine how popular it will be when it has a full complement of staff, a brand new building with stunning facilities to show off, and a track record of success.
"This shows that there is very significant demand for an academically excellent, inclusive, cross-communal school like JCoSS, which can only grow as we establish ourselves."
The school will expand year on year to reach a capacity of 1310 by 2017, with the Pears Special Resource Provision catering for a further 50 pupils on the autistic spectrum.
The stream's seven places for 2010 will be offered separately. More than 1600 children have already registered to join JCoSS from 2011 onwards.
Building work at JCoSS, to include dance studios and all-weather sports pitches, began in 2009 after the idea was raised in 2001.
Headteacher Jeremy Stowe-Lindner said: "I am thrilled that my excitement and passion for high-achieving cross-communal Jewish schooling is shared by so many in our community.
"For those on our waiting list, who would still like to come to JCoSS or - having received an alternative offer, would now like to be considered for a place at JCoSS - all is not lost.
"Typically, there is further movement between schools over the next few months, especially to the private sector, so it is still worth joining our waiting list and I hope that we will be able to accommodate many of those who want a place."
The first open session for 2011 entry parents is on Tuesday, March 16, at 7.30pm at Avenue House, 17 East End Rd, Finchley N3 3QE.
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