History

After 10 years of endeavour, JCoSS opened its doors to its first cohort of students on 7th September 2010.  The timeline below shows how we got there.

2001

Idea begins: wide interest from across the community.
Working party established – i.e Idea originates with parents NOT movement led

2002
Begin search for appropriate sites – not easy, best sites taken for commercial development or not suitable for a school
2003
JCoSS Trust established
2004
Government becomes involved – suggests JCoSS becomes a pilot project in Parental-led schooling
2004/5
Barnet offers a possible site.
Begin negotiations with Barnet for Westbrook Crescent
2005

Dialogue begins with Norwood.

Gerald Ronson comes on board. 90% capital funding approved by DSCF which is £36m.  The balance of 10% , plus our wish list is approximately £10m which needs to be raised by the community

2006
Planning and Design Brief issued
Consultation with local residents and Local authority
2007
Plans approved by Barnet LBC
2008

Tender documents issued for Contractors

Temporary Governing Body appointed to run the school - lots of different professional and religious backgrounds

Education Consultant employed

Fundraising gathers pace

Search for head teacher begins

Final amendments to building plans

2009

Construction starts

Jeremy Stowe-Lindner appointed as Headteacher

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, attends ground-breaking event and helps plant time capsule on site

Deputy Headteacher and Director of Jewish Education also appointed

First prospectus published and first Open Days

Applications open and close

2010

157 students join JCoSS’s first Year 7

42 teaching and support staff appointed

Building completed

Pears Special Resource Provision (PSRP) opens for students with autism

2011
Full cohort of 187 students join Year 7.
Phase 2 completed - old school demolished, replaced with state-of-the-art all weather pitch and new car park.
2012
Sixth Form Opens
2013
Patrick Moriarty apppointed as Headteacher
2014

First set of A-Level results, achieved by students who came to the JCoSS 6th form from previous schools.


36 students took A-Levels at JCoSS this year and almost 70% of all grades were A*-B.

2015

First Set of GCSE Results


Outstanding GCSE results from our pioneering cohort of students who joined the school in 2010 when our doors first opened.


Overall, 41% of grades achieved were either A or A*, and 86% were at grades A*-C

2017

The Dorfman Wing Opens


 


 


 


 

2017

The biggest Milestone of the school's history to date - the First Full Set of A Level Results from our pioneering student cohort who joined JCoSS in 2010 when the school first opened.


A historic and highly momentous day, signifying the faith that every supporter, student and family put into JCoSS.


 

2019

JCoSS is named The Sunday Times Greater London State Secondary School of the Year, recognising our outstanding results at GCSE and A Level and our rapid rise up the rankings in recent years.

2020/21

JCoSS 10th Anniversary year.  Events were thwarted somewhat by the Covid 19 pandemic, but this significant milestone was still marked by students, staff, alumni, Trustees and Governors - past and present. 

2022

December 2022.  Patrick Moriarty steps down as JCoSS as Headteacher.  His exceptional contribution to JCoSS led the school through its formational years, which has flourished under his leadership. 

2023

January 2023.  Dr Melanie Lee starts as JCoSS Headteacher.  

2023/24

JCoSS celebrates our Barmitzvah Year, with a host of celebrations and events in the summer term.