Ages 
A school with a clear vision, which has grown from a hopeful acorn to an oak of excellence. An inclusive place producing excellent results and happy, involved pupils.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,379 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 354 ·
- Religion
- Jewish
- Local authority
- London Borough of Barnet
Headteacher
Headteacher
Dr Melanie Lee BSc (Hons) PhD
Since January 2023, Dr Melanie Lee, previously on a sabbatical to gain insights into teaching, learning and curriculum from a range of schools across the UK which belong to the Research Schools Network. Before that, deputy head at Yavneh College in
Entrance
Around 720 apply for year 7 places here, with about 400 putting it as their first or second choice. The school is mixed ability, but priority goes to Jewish children (proved by attendance at synagogue or involvement with Jewish education plus
- Open days
- November
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Just under 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, mostly because they don't make the grades for sixth form courses. All are swiftly replaced by external candidates. At 18, 90 per cent to university, about half to Russell Group universities. Leeds,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 48 per cent 9-7 at GCSE. At A level (and equivalent Cambridge Technical Qualifications), 56 per cent A*/A (77 per cent A*-B) or equivalent.
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
High expectations of what would be achieved, and JCoSS’s GCSE results certainly don't disappoint, putting the school in the top 10 per cent nationally. At A level, grades as good or better than many independents.
Largely academic curriculum with
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Provision for SEN commended by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’. The school, after consultation with the local authority, decided to create a specialist autism unit, the PSRP, with seven places a year devoted to those on the autism spectrum who can access the
Arts & extracurricular
Large art department with enthusiastic participants. Keen musicians enjoy chamber choir, jazz band, orchestra, guitar surgery. Good range of community involvement and social action: Duke of Edinburgh, Amnesty International, primary school
Sport
Sport still relatively in its infancy and limited grounds mean it’s unlikely to be a big priority in the immediate future. ‘We need a wider range of sport,’ said one student. Some all-weather pitches and a spacious well-equipped gym, plus a
Ethos & heritage
Traditionally, London has not had enough school places for Jewish families, and JCoSS was established to be a ‘pluralist’ Jewish secondary, where all who ‘self-identified as Jewish’ would be welcome. ‘Religiously, we were doing something different,’
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
The development of each student as a ‘Mensch’ – a person of integrity and honour - is the backbone of the school, and moral worth very much emphasised and rewarded (one prize, for example, for kindness, is voted on by students, another awarded for 20
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Students may only access their phones with express permission of a staff member and for a specific and temporary purpose. In all other circumstances, when a student's phone is on show, it will be confiscated and passed to the main office, where a record will be kept. Persistent concerns will be referred to the relevant pastoral lead. The school reserves the right to confiscate potentially dangerous equipment for up to half a term and to request that a parent attends school to collect the item at the end of the confiscation period.
Pupils & parents
From the highly observant to the not observant at all, with a reasonable sprinkling of mixed marriages. A good chunk live fairly locally, but pupils come from as far afield as St Albans and Essex, Harrow and Hackney. Many arrive by school coach,
Money matters
Parents are asked for a voluntary contribution to help underwrite unfunded Jewish education.
The last word
A school with a clear vision, which has grown from a hopeful acorn to an oak of excellence. An inclusive place producing excellent results and happy, involved pupils.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
