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The Scholars’ Programme

The “Scholars’ Programme” is a programme which promotes and co-ordinates activities to stretch and challenge the most academically able students at JCoSS, alongside those who are hard-working, determined, academically optimistic and ambitious, independently engaged and display attitudes that are vital for  their success in the wider world.  At JCoSS we regard being Able & Ambitious as possessing expertise in a developmental stage. This means those students who display, or have a potential to, exhibit exceptional performance in one or more areas of endeavour, be they academic, expressive or social. 

The Scholars’ Programme promotes and co-ordinates activities to stretch and challenge Able & Ambitious students within and beyond the classroom, from Years 7 through to 13 and it is also responsible for encouraging students to apply to Oxbridge and other competitive courses as well as managing these applications.

Cross-curricular

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Oxbridge/
Medic Programme 

This includes meetings every other week to prepare for the most competitive courses. We host guest speakers such as Oxbridge admissions officers and JCoSS alumni who are currently studying at Oxbridge. Medics are coached by a one of our JCoSS alumnus currently studying Medicine. A tutoring company provides a workshop on admissions tests. Each applicant is given a mentor, and there are opportunities for feedback on their personal statement and interview practice.

 Year 12&13
Horizon Programme applications

A programme designed by Oxford University to enable students from under-represented backgrounds to make competitive applications to Oxford. Miss Taylor provides support and a reference for applicants. 

 Year 12
Scholars’ Programme team for all years

A platform for discovering a wide range of resources, events and competitions for all subjects. Any student can be added to this team by asking Miss Taylor.

 All Years
Gonville and Caius College Cambridge Introduction to Oxbridge day 

This is open to high-achieving year 10 students attending Barnet state secondary schools and takes place at The Totteridge Academy. This encourages young people to consider what they need to do now to support them making applications to competitive universities, and in particular Oxford and Cambridge, in the future.

Students learn about selective universities and what they are looking for; engage in critical thinking activities; reflect on their interests and how to explore them further; consider the importance of choosing the right A level combinations; address some of the myths around selective universities; and have the opportunity to talk to a current Cambridge university student.

 Year 10
Massolit website subscription

Provides students access to university lecturers discuss A-level curriculums for Politics, English Language and Literature and Classics. There are a range of courses and students can watch videos that relate to their wider reading. This fosters independent learning and is hugely beneficial for students revising. 

 Year 12 and 13
Introduction to Philosophy Course 

Provided online free of charge by the Philosophy Foundation. This is a great way for your child to practice debating and critical thinking skills.  The lecturers are excellent at outlining philosophical thought experiments and facilitating students of all ages to engage with them. If you would like to find out more about the Philosophy Foundation, here is their website: https://www.philosophy-foundation.org/in-schools 

 Year 7 and 12

 

Art

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Year 10 residential trip to Spain. ADT and Spanish students visit and explore historical and cultural aspects in Southern Spain over 5 days. Students gain an insight on how to be inspired from surroundings which supports advancements in their coursework. KS4 
Life Drawing GCSE and A Level students are offered after school life drawing sessions where they have the opportunity to draw from a professional life model.  This helps them to improve their figure drawing skills.  Those students who are applying for art courses in further education are able to include this work in their portfolios.

KS4 and 5
Museum/Gallery Visit. GCSE Art students take a trip to an Art Gallery. The trip is designed to support their coursework and exam units.  Seeing art work at first hand is a vital part of understanding art

KS4
KS4 and 5 Booster sessions After school workshops to enable exam groups to use the studios outside of lessons to work on their projects.

KS4 and 5
Art Club Lunch sessions for students to take part in art activities that they wouldn’t normally experience during art lessons. KS3

 

Business & Economics

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Student Investor Challenge Students put together a virtual share portfolio and trade over several months Year 10 and 12
BASE Accounting Competition Students analyse a company’s performance and make recommendations to management Year 12 Economics students
Tenner Challenge Students start a business and aim to make as much profit as possible from a £10 initial investment Year 8 students
Economics In Action Talks from a variety of leading economists Year 13 Economics students

 

Computing

Provision

What is Involved?

Who is it for?

Cyber Discovery Competition

A national competition aimed at improving understanding of cyber security

Years 10 to 13

Coding Club

Students can develop their own code one lunchtime per week and get support

Years 7 to 11

Drama

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?

NT Connections

Rehearsing and working together to bring a text to life. Concentrating and focus on stage and performance skills. Workshops and performances at JCoSS and Arts Depo, Finchley. 

KS4 and KS5

Frantic Assembly Workshop

Visiting practitioner from Frantic Assembly Company to work with students using Physical Theatre techniques.

KS4 and KS5

The Stanislavsky Experience

Visiting practitioner working with GCSE and A level students with a focus on Devising Skills, Stanislavsky and Brecht.

KS4 and KS5

Theatre visits

Students have had opportunities to visit theatres.  Productions this year have included: DNA, Label, Straight Line Crazy, Legally Blonde, Antigone, Witness for the Prosecution and musicals such as Newsies Oklahoma 

KS3, KS4 and KS5
Theatre Production

Students have options to use performance skills or work in sounds/lighting areas and stage management areas for this production in the Summer Term.

KS3, KS4 and KS5
Whole School Production

Students have options to use performance skills or work in sounds/lighting areas and stage management areas for this production in the Summer Term.

KS3, KS4 and KS5

 

D&T & Food Tech

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?

Year 10 residential trip to Spain.

ADT and Spanish students visit and explore historical and cultural aspects in Southern Spain over 5 days. Students gain an insight on how to be inspired from surroundings which supports advancements in their coursework.

KS4 – Year 10

D&T – 6 week Workshop Machine course

Learning how to use the machinery in a safe environment

Less confident students. A&A D&T students will help

D&T – Run a Design Venturer competition

A competition linked with the Design Museum

A&A D&T students

D&T – Rotary Technology Tournament

A problem solving competition

A&A Yr10 & Yr11 students

Food Technology

A cooking competition run in heats

Self select process – all years

KS4 and 5 Booster sessions for both D&T and Food Technology

Opportunities for students to come and improve their coursework.

KS4/5: Years 10-13

 

English

 Provision

 What is involved?

 Who for?

Able readers Carnegie shadowing

Students are provided with copies of the books to share, facilitate group discussion, and support preparation of presentation for the inter-school event. They will gather and edit book reviews for inclusion in the website and feed this into other students’ reading experiences in LRC lessons.

Nominated Year 8 students

Book Club

Students who enjoy reading are welcome to join Book Club one lunch time a week where they will read and discuss different books each week. Students will also put together the short list of books for the ‘JCoSS Book Award’ and help to run the competition.

Y7, 8, 9 and 10

JCoSS Book Award

 

 

Launched by the students in the Book Club, all of KS3 are invited to read the books on the JCoSS Book Award Shortlist. Once the reading is completed, students will present creative responses to the books. The best creative responses will be selected to participate in a reward trip.

All KS3 students

Globe theatre trip

Students are able to attend a free performance at the globe of a Shakespeare play that has been adapted especially for students.

Reward for ambitious Y8 students

 

 

Workshop at the Globe

To support the study of Romeo and Juliet diligent students are rewarded with a trip to the Globe where they work with actors from the theatre company on key scenes from the play.

KS4 ambitious students

Paired reading

 

 

Students in Year 10 meet with Year 7 students weekly to read books together.

Able and ambitious Year 12 students

New Views

 

 

This is a prestigious playwriting competition run by the National Theatre.

The New Views programme gives students a unique and exciting opportunity to work with playwrights to produce their own short play, about a challenging issue. The winning play is performed by a group of professional actors at the National Theatre and the runners up see a staged reading of their play.

Students from KS4 and 5

Theatre trips

Key Stage 5 theatre trips are frequent throughout the year. There are opportunities to see set texts, as well as enrichment trips to see productions of texts that are relevant in terms of genre or time period.

KS5 Literature students
Study Days Lectures on various set texts. Selected students attend the day of lectures, take notes and feedback to classmates  Y12 and Y13 English students

 

Jewish Education (Formal and Informal)

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
6th Form JE Lessons on a broad range of Jewish themes Years 12-13
Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme Inter-school leadership training programme Year 10 – Self Select
Beit Midrash Intensive Jewish learning Years 7-9 – Self Select
Charity Fair Fair to choose school charities for the year Self Select
Festival activities Activities in the heartspace for festivals Self Select
Gap Year Workshop and Fair Introduction to gap years Year 12
Interfaith Linking – St Augustine’s Priory School Interfaith linking programme with St Augustine’s Priory Schoo Year 9 girls – Self Select
Interfaith Linking – Tawhid Boys School Interfaith linking programme with Tahwid Boys School Year 9 boys – Self Select
Interfaith Tent Interfaith encounters and workshops in the Interfaith Tent Years 7-9
Interfaith Week Interfaith social action projects Years 7-9 – Self Select
Israel Club Lunchtime club – Israel games and activities Self Select
Israel Journey 2 week immersive Israel Tour Year 9 – Self Select
Israel Tour Fair Youth movement promotion of Israel Tour Year 11
JCoSS Leadership Academy Leadership development programme Years 12-13 – Self Select
JCoSS Shabbat Baking Challah for JCoSS Shabbat Self Select
Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat prayers Self Select
Maccabi GB Challenge Israel Tour Israel Tour for young people with learning disabilities Year 12-13 – Self Select
Manna from Heaven Lunchtime club – Baking for Homeless Action Barnet Self Select
Mincha Mincha prayers Self Select
Mitzvah Day Day of community service Self Select
Poland Trip Poland Trip Year 12 – Self Select
Pride Week Activities for LGBT+ Pride Week Self Select
Rosh Chodesh Prayer, reflection and Jewish education sessions on Rosh Chodesh Years 7-9
Rosh Chodesh ‘TED’ style talks on Rosh Chodesh from distinguished guests Years 10-11
Social Snacktion Social action reward club Self Select
Sukkot & Social Action Sessions with school charities in the Sukkah Self Select
Summer Programme Fair Youth movement promotion of summer camps Years 7-10 – Self Select
Team Tikkun Social Action Committee Self Select
Volunteering Opportunities, Community Visits & Fundraising Visits to care homes and community events Self Select
We Day Day promoting social action 15 students engaged in social action
Year 10 Lag B’Omer Residential Trip away for Lag B’Omer Year 10 – Self Select
Year 7 IJE Values based curriculum delivered through IJE Year 7
Year 7 Shabbaton Weekend away Year 7 – Self Select
Year 8 Volunteering Each student completes an hour of volunteering in school time Year 8
Yom Tzedakah Fundraisers days led by each year group Each year group
Yoni Jesner Award Volunteering award Years 7 & 8 – Self Select

 

French, Spanish, Ivrit , Classical Civilisation and Latin

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Classics Club

For students in years 7 -11 and run by the sixth form, to extend knowledge beyond the classroom and share our passion for different aspects of the Classical World. 

 Years 7-11
Latin Trip Museum of London KS3
Ivrit Cambridge Trip Visit to Cambridge Genzia and Department of Modern Hebrew Year 9
Study Day French Institute  Year 10
Spanish Language Trip Andalucia Year 10
French and Spanish Students 1:1/ Small group Foreign Assistant speaking sessions Y10 – Y13 French & Spanish Students
Shinshinnit Israel Club and Hebrew language support from Israeli Scout leaders volunteering in the UK from Israel Y7-Y13 Ivrit
Classical Civilisation and Latin A-Level trips These trips involve theatre trips to see Ancient Greek Tragedy and Comedy alongside carrying opportunities to attend academic lectures on Classical topics Year 12 & 13

Linguistic Olympiad Competition

   – Open to all Y11, Y12 & Y13 students.

Languages Club

 Every Wednesday lunchtime we provide a taster session for different languages such as Catalan, Ancient Greek and Welsh   Open to all students in the Autumn &  Summer terms

 

Humanities

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Geography Stretch and challenge in lessons KS3
Geography

Differentiated interventions focusing on high level exams skills –

Subscriptions/ Magazine articles  from – Geographical review, the economist, the Royal Geographic association.

 KS4
History Stretch and challenge tasks in lessons All students
History Use of academic texts alongside the text book at A-Level, including key historians such as William Doyle. KS5
History Reading Group

 This is an A-Level reading group in which the work of an academic historian is read in its entirety and analysed chapter by chapter.

 KS5
History Reading List

 The History department has curated an in-depth reading list that goes way beyond just reading. Favourite historical works, novel, podcasts and films are among the many recommendations for students who wish to explore their subject more widely.

 All Students
History

Parallel Histories debate competition –  this competition will be facilitated by Parallel Histories, a trusted organisation JCoSS has used in the past to develop oral, critical thinking and teamwork skills. If you would like more information about them, please see here: https://parallelhistories.org.uk/school-debating/. They provide all the information the students need, and the topics include Churchill and the British mandate on Israel.

 Year 12
Sociology

Tailoring resources to stretch the most able for example, exam booklets of past exam questions
– Academic literature in the classroom
– Notice board of revision materials 
– Sociology Review Magazine

  
Sociology 

Sociology of Immigration video project

by coordinating with an expert videographer, students create a video about the true stories of migrants. Afterwards, the Barnet based company ‘Youth Exposure’ is used a platform for students to share a piece of reflective writing on the project. This raises aspiration in technical and humanities-based subjects, improves understanding of social issues and technology, as well as cultivating softer skills of compassion and empathy

 Year 8 and 9
Politics

Visit Parliament with discussion with a Peer and MPs

Trip to student conference , featuring prominent speakers (e.g. Speaker of HOC)

Politicians visit the school (e.g. Luciana Berger, Theresa Villiers)

Subscription to Politics Review

Year 13s mentoring of Year 12s

Model answer booklets

Independent reading list for key topics to extend student reading

  
Politics 

Mock trials – these dynamic virtual mock trial workshops, run by experienced tutors, are designed to provide participants with a true-to-life interactive experience of a criminal law case in a virtual Crown Court, from start to finish. Participants will assume the roles of barristers and witnesses and carry out a full trial. This is a perfect experience for any students interested in a career in law, or keen to gain further understanding of the subject. Students will also have a chance to engage in a Q and A, run by the tutor overseeing the course. 

 

 Year 10

 

Maths

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
UKMT junior, intermediate and senior individual challenges. Students sit a paper in exam conditions. Questions are designed to make you think out the box. Years 7-13
UKMT team challenge. Trip out of school to compete against other schools in different style maths challenges Years 7-13
British Mathematical Olympiad This is the follow-on round for the senior UKMT Challenge. Years 12-13
STEP Preparation and support for STEP exams, aimed at Oxbridge candidates Years 12-13
Mathematical Olympiad for Girls Aimed to encourage and inspire as many girls as possible to get involved in advannced mathematical problem solving Year 11
Reach for the 9s Weekly additional sessions for GCSE students aiming for grade 9 Year 11
AMSP Maths Feast The Y10 Maths feast is an enjoyable and challenging team competition testing mathematical, team working and communication skills. Year 10
Weekly Maths Quiz Challenging problem solving questions  KS3
Integral Maths website subscription

A valuable resource for all students taking A Level Maths and Further Maths as well as those preparing for Oxbridge admission tests, whether they are TMUA, MAT, PAT, or STEP 

 Year 12 and 13 
It All Adds Up The Mathematical Institute and Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, host two inspiring and engaging day-conferences in Mathematics for girls Year 10
STEM Aspire Days Science, Maths and Tech work in a lab based exploratory learning environment to promote critical thinking and higher order thinking. Years 8/9 – A&A students. Staff nominated.
Arkwright Scholarship An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship of its type in the UK to inspire and nurture school-age students to be the country’s future leaders of the Engineering Profession Year 11

 

Media & Film Studies

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Film Club Creating films and entering film competitions Year 7 and 8 students (self-select and recommended by teachers)
Media Team Students form a media team to film events and shows in school.
Filming events that happen in school		 Year 12/13
Media Consultant A media consultant industry comes in for a day to run tutored media revision. Year 12&13

 

Music

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
JCOSS Singers Singing to a high level of competence and skill. Performing in public both in and out of school Year 7 Vocalists
Chamber Choir Singing to a high level of competence and skill. Performing in public both in and out of school Years 7 to 13 Entry by audition/invitation
Junior Jazz Band Playing Jazz/Big Band music Performing in public both in and out of school Saxes/Trumpets/Trombones (up to Grade 4) ALL YEARS
Woodwind Ensemble Playing classical wind ensemble pieces

Woodwind & Brass instrumentalists ALL YEARS
Guitar Ensemble   guitarists ALL YEARS
Jazz Band Playing Jazz/Big Band music Performing in public both in and out of school. Saxes/Trumpets/Trombones open to all Grade 4 upwards ALL YEARS
String Ensemble Playing classical string ensemble pieces Performing in public both in and out of school Violinists/Violas/Cellos ALL YEARS
Senior Singers Singing to a high level of competence and skill. Performing in public both in and out of school Years 8 to 11 singers
Percussion Ensemble Playing arrangements and original music for tuned percussion ensemble Percussionists/Pianists ALL YEARS
Sixth Form Close Harmony  a capella Singing to a high level of competence and skill. Performing in public both in and out of school Sixth formers by invitation

 

Physical Education

Able information:

  • Students get nominated to attend trials in a range of sports at district and county level (not all year groups have district or county teams to nominate students for)
  • Extra-curricular fixtures for students to represent JCoSS at County/Regional level (boys and girls football, table tennis, Cross-country)
  • Extra-curricular fixtures for students to represent JCoSS at District level (boys and girls football, badminton, athletics, basketball, netball, rounders, cricket, handball, table tennis, Cross-country)
  • Extra-curricular school clubs in a range of sports after-school for students
  • Inter-Form Competitions for students to represent their forms in basketball, handball, football, netball and athletics.
  • Maccabi Tournaments for students to represent JCoSS competing in inter-school events
  • Nominations to represent Maccabi GB in a range of sporting activities.

Ambitious information:

  • Students can apply to be a Sports Ambassador in year 7 and if/when places become available in subsequent years
  • Sports Ambassadors represent the school in external competitions as coaches, umpires and leaders
  • Sports Ambassadors also run sporting initiatives within JCoSS to increase oppurtunities for their peers to participate in sport.
Science

Provision

What is involved?

Who for?
Engineering4Kids robot workshop

Engineering4Kids robot workshop  
Involves students building, programming and battling their own robots! As well as being a lot of fun, this is an amazing way to exercise skills particularly demanded in STEM careers. If you would like more information on this organisation, please see here: https://www.engineeringforkids.com/ 

 Year 7
CREST Silver Science Award   

For those interested in studying science at university or taking 2+ science A-levels, this program aims to take the students through the whole academic research process including: 

– Choosing a problem 

– Justifying the importance of solving the problem by exploring its impact on society 

– Researching ways to solve it 

– Performing preliminary tests which will be used to inform the method of the final experiment 

– Learning to handle, analyse and present data 

– Learning how to write in both the journal and report formats, as well as how to make engaging presentations and posters 

 Year 12
Bronze Industrial Cadets programme

A unique extra-curricular opportunity to create a solution to a problem in cooperation with mentors from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) industries. Over 12 weeks, Ms Hancock will supervise after school sessions to enable the team to present their findings as a video and report.

 Years 8 and 9
Research projects

Numerous research projects built in to our KS3 scheme of learning as extension and enrichment activities

 KS3 students

Science club

 Weekly experiments and science enrichment activities  KS3 students

Arkwright Engineering scholarship

  An award that encourages you to go on to read Engineering at university or college. It will help you to do well in your A levels through enrichment and mentoring. All scholars are given many opportunities to attend ‘engineering experience days’ or to network with other engineers and scholars. This can lead to enhanced job opportunities. All scholars are given money – currently £600 – to put towards their engineering endeavours (projects, equipment etc.) during Yrs 12 & 13. Year 11

Davidson Inventors Challenge 

  A collaborative school outreach initiative between the department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge and the Association of Science Technology and Innovation (ASTI) in Malaysia,  and also supported by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). This school competition is aimed at students in UK schools interested in STEM. The theme is sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations to address global challenges. The teams are required to first select a challenge/problem area they’d like to work on from a list of sustainable development goals and come up with a potential sustainable and innovative solution. See more on previous winning innovative solutions and information on the challenge and registration  https://www.ceb.cam.ac.uk/events/davidson-inventors-challenge-2022-2023 Year 11 & 12