JFS School
The Governing Body of JFS invites you to view the proposed admissions arrangements for the
academic year 2022-23, in accordance with the requirements of the Department for Education’s
School Admissions Code.
The consultation will run for 6 weeks from 7 December 2020 until 19 January 2021.
The main changes to our admissions arrangements are to the Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP)
form, which is used to demonstrate eligibility for a priority faith place in our school. The changes
being proposed are:
To return to accepting verified synagogue attendance as a way to gain CRP points, which was
not possible for admissions cycle 2021/22 while synagogues were closed during lockdown.
To remove the exemption that applied in admissions cycle 2021/22 to the sibling of an older
applicant to the school who had previously demonstrated faith eligibility, (ie, who
completed a CRP form for the school to which the sibling / current applicant is applying),
which meant that they were not required to accrue CRP points. Siblings will return to th
e
p
reviously established position of needing to complete a CRP form themselves.
To extend the window during which CRP points can be obtained.
To provide a number of options of dates for participation in the online CRP course.
T
he elements of our arrangements that are not changing are:
Maintaining the section of the CRP form that enables self-declared attendance at online
services on Friday evenings (Kabbalat Shabbat) or the eve of festivals (before th
e
c
ommencement of the festival), in order to provide an option in the eventuality that places
of worship are closed again as a result of the pandemic or for any other reason.
All other elements of the CRP form are not changing, including the sections on Jewish
education and volunteering.
Our Published Admission Number remains 300.
All other elements of our published admissions arrangements, including our Admissions
Policy and Supplementary Information form, remain the same.
P
lease find attached a copy of our full admissions arrangements, including the Admissions Policy
and revised Certificate of Religious Practice form and please click here for the online
Supplementary Information form
The governing body welcome your responses to this proposal which should be submitted to Mrs
Arora, Admissions officer by email to admissions@jfs.brent.sch.uk
. Alternatively, you can send your
comments by post to JFS, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow HA3 9TE. The proposed Admissions
Arrangements are available to view on the JFS website.
Please ensure that any comments are submitted by 19 January 2021 so that the Governing Body can
consider these and determine the final admission arrangements by 28 February 2021.
12702346.1
4 points are needed to fulfil the requirements of this CRP. There is no advantage in achieving more than 4 points.
Depending on current government guidelines we recognise that the collection of signatures may be difficult. If
you are unable to obtain signatures for any part of the form a letter confirming completion of the section should
be obtained from the relevant person(s).
Child’s surname:
Child’s first name(s):
Date of birth:
Child’s Hebrew name:
Full postal address:
Contact number:
Postcode:
Email:
Points can be obtained through sections 1-5 to allow for flexibility should government guidelines restrict the collecting of points in
person. For Section 1, you must register with the synagogue you propose to attend, as well as completing this form. Registration can be
made by email or online: see synagogue website.
You should send a completed copy of this form to the school to arrive no later than 31
st
October 2021.
If the form is not received in time, it may not be possible to treat the child as a religious practice priority applicant. In order to obtain
points in sections 1, 3, 4 and 5, the parent/guardian must complete this form and take, or send, it to the person(s) referred to in those
sections. This form must be completed regardless of sibling status.
The school cannot consider a CRP which does not have the relevant declarations and it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to
approach the relevant person(s) to obtain a letter of confirmation if they are unable to have parts of the form signed. The relevant
person(s) may decline to sign this form where the parent/guardian or the child is not personally known to them and/or cannot vouch for
the parent/guardian or the child.
Since 17
th
April 2021 how many times has the child attended Shabbat morning synagogue religious services?
Dates of Shabbat attendance need to be verified by the Rabbi or authorised official of each synagogue attended, either by completing
the declaration below or by attaching a signed letter. You should refer to the relevant synagogue website for more details about service
times and locations.
Please tick one box only
At least 8 times (4 points) At least 4 times (2 points) Less than 4 times (0 points)
Note: Families will not receive points for simply arriving on the premises. Synagogues are empowered and are required to decline
to record attendance on that basis.
Dates that are eligible for recording attendance at Shabbat morning synagogue services from 17
th
April 2021
2021
17 April
24 April
1 May
8 May
15 May
22 May
29 May
5 June
12 June
19 June
26 June
3 July
10 July
17 July
24July
31 July
4 September
11 September
18 September
25 September
2 October
9 October
16 October
23 October
30 October
Note: For late or in-year applications, arrangements for registering and recording attendance at Shabbat morning religious services
should be made directly with your synagogue.
Declaration by Rabbi/Synagogue Official:
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information in Section 1 is correct
Signature
Name and position of
signatory
Date
Address of signatory
Year 7 Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP) 2022/23
SECTION 1: SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE - Between 17
th
April and 30th October 2021
12702346.1
How many times has the child attended internet-based synagogue services on Friday evenings (Kabbalat Shabbat) or the eve of festivals?
Online participation must not be on Shabbat or Chagim.
Please tick one box only At least 4 times (2 pts) Less than 4 times (0 pt)
Please list the online attendances:
Date: ………………………….. Host organisation: ……………………………………….. Officiant or leader ……………………………………………
Date: ………………………….. Host organisation: ……………………………………….. Officiant or leader ……………………………………………
Date: ………………………….. Host organisation: ……………………………………….. Officiant or leader ……….…………………..………………
Date: ………………………….. Host organisation: ……………………………………….. Officiant or leader ..………………………….…………
Has the child participated in Jewish educational activities (e.g. cheder, private tutor or school) on at least six occasions?
Please tick one box only Yes (2 points) No (0 points)
If Yes please specify activities (e.g. school) and frequency…………………………………………….…………………….……
Declaration by Headteacher/Teacher/Course Leader/tutor:
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information in Section 3 is correct
Signature
Name and position of
signatory
Date
Address of signatory
Name of Course/
Institution/School etc
Postcode
Note: A non-exhaustive list of educational opportunities can be found on the United Synagogue’s website: www.theus.org.uk
Have you or the child’s other parent/guardian participated in a voluntary capacity in a Jewish communal, charitable or welfare activity
on at least 12 occasions?
Please tick relevant box Yes (2 points) No (0 points)
If Yes, please specify name of organisation and give a brief description:
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Declaration by Jewish Communal/Charitable/Welfare Organisation:
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information in Section 4 is correct
Signature
Name and position of
signatory
Date
Address of signatory
Name and Address of
Organisation
Postcode
Notes: If these 12 occasions have included more than one organisation, please attach further declaration(s) to this form. For example, a
non-exhaustive list of some volunteering opportunities can be found on www.theus.org.uk
SECTION 3: JEWISH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES - Between 1st November 2020 and 31st October 2021
SECTION 4: VOLUNTEERING Between 1st November 2020 and 31st October 2021
SECTION 2: ONLINE SYNAGOGUE SERVICES - Between 17th April 2021 and 30th October 2021
12702346.1
This course has been specifically designed for admission to schools whose religious authority is the Office of the Chief Rabbi or whose
Foundation Body is the United Synagogue, for admission in September 2022. Applicants who wish to establish religious practice priority
to these schools can choose to accumulate the CRP in any way they wish and this course would accrue 2 points. The course is open to all
applicants and will consist of 6 sessions of 30 minutes, covering topics relevant to Jewish customs and practices, festivals, kashrut, etc.
All of them need to be completed in order to satisfy this section. Courses will run in May and June 2021.
For further details on how to participate go to www.tribeuk.com . Families for whom online access presents difficulties are asked to
call 020 8343 5656 for more information.
Has the child completed any Office of the Chief Rabbi approved United Synagogue online course?
Please tick relevant box Yes (2 points) No (0 points)
Declaration by United Synagogue
I confirm that the above named person took part in the approved United Synagogue courses.
Signature
Name of course leader
I confirm that all the information provided is correct
Name (please print) …………………….……………………………………………………………………..….
Signed…………………….……………………………………………………………………..………………………. Date ……………………………………..………
For School use only
Date received …………………………………………………………………
Name (please print) …………………………………………………………………………….…………………
Total number of points……………………………. Child meets Practice Threshold: YES / NO
SECTION 5: CRP JUDAISM ON LINE COURSE 2021 - Course 1 from 5th May / Course 2 from 16
th
June
SECTION 6: PARENT’S/GUARDIAN’S DECLARATION
Page 1
JFS SCHOOL
THE MALL, KENTON, HARROW, HA3 9TE
ADMISSION POLICY FOR 2021/22
1 Introduction
1.1 JFS School (the School) is a Jewish mixed comprehensive voluntary aided secondary school located in
Kenton, North London.
1.2 Admission to all state funded schools is governed by the School Admissions Code 2014 (Code). Under
the Code, the Governing Body of the School is the 'Admission Authority' for the School, and is required
to formally determine the admission arrangements for each year's intake in accordance with the
requirements of the Code. The Governing Body delegates this task to a committee of five Governors,
called the Admission Committee.
1.3 This policy and the admission related documents referred to therein together form the School's
admission arrangements. Any proposed changes to the admission arrangements are subject to
statutory consultation before they can be adopted.
2 Children with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan)
2.1 Children with an EHC plan are admitted to schools under separate statutory procedures managed by
their home Local Authority, not under schools' admission arrangements. Parents of children with an
EHC plan should therefore liaise with their home Local Authority's SEN team if they want their child to
be placed at the School.
2.2 Where the child's EHC plan names the School, they will be admitted. Where this happens in the
'normal admission round' (i.e. entry to Year 7 in September), they will be allocated places before all
applications for admission are processed, thereby reducing the number of places available within the
published admission number (PAN). At any other time, they will be admitted even where this means
the PAN will be exceeded.
3 Inclusivity and Equality
3.1 The School is fully inclusive and welcomes applications for the admission of children with special
educational needs, physical or behavioural disabilities and other protected characteristics under the
Equality Act 2010. The School's admission arrangements are determined and implemented with the
School's equality duties in mind, including the public sector equality duty (PSED).
Page 2
4 Definition of a 'Parent'
4.1 In education law and this policy, the definition of a 'parent' includes a natural or adoptive parent of
the child (irrespective of whether the child lives with or has contact with them, or whether they have
parental responsibility for the child). It also includes a person who is not a natural or adoptive parent
of the child, but who has care of the child, or parental responsibility for the child.
5 Published Admission Number (PAN)
5.1 The PAN for Years 7 is 300 students.
5.2 The PAN for Year 12 is 20 external candidates.
5.3 The School's Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) has a total of 550 places. Year 11 students currently on the
roll at the School do not apply for admission to Year 12 - they simply transfer from Year 11 to Year 12
if they meet the Minimum Academic Entry Criteria (see below) and wish to attend the JFS Sixth Form.
Once the number of Year 11 students transferring to Year 12 is known, it is possible that the School
may be able to admit additional external candidates over and above the PAN stated above.
6 Oversubscription Criteria
6.1 Where there are more applications than there are places available, places will be allocated in the
following order of priority (please note that Categories 6.1.3 and 6.1.4 do not apply to applications for
admission to Year 12):
6.1.1 Looked after children and previously looked after children who (in either case) meet the
religious practice test
A 'looked after child' is a child who is (a) in the care of a Local Authority, or (b) being provided
with accommodation by a Local Authority in the exercise of their social services functions, at
the time of making an application to the school. A 'previously looked after child' is a child
who was looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to
a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF), a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the School
(CRP) and a signed formal letter from the child's social worker or former social worker
confirming their status. All three documents are to be sent directly to the School by the
application deadline no later than the date by which the CAF has to be returned to your Local
Authority. It is not compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we cannot give
your child priority consideration without it.
6.1.2 Children who meet the religious practice test who have accommodation provided for them
by a Jewish care home or care organisation
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF), a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the School
(CRP) and a signed formal letter from Social Services or Norwood confirming their status. All
three documents are to be sent directly to the School by the application deadline no later
than the date by which the CAF has to be returned to your Local Authority. It is not
compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we cannot give your child priority
consideration without it.
Page 3
6.1.3 Children who meet the religious practice test who have a sibling at the School at the time
of application or who formerly attended the School for a period of at least three
consecutive terms within the 5 years preceding the proposed date of entry
In this category, a ‘sibling’ means a full sibling (sharing both parents), a half sibling (sharing
one parent), an adopted sibling, a foster sibling, a step sibling (one child's parent married to
the other child's parent), and the child of their parent's cohabiting partner, and in all cases
the sibling must live at the child's home address (as defined by this policy) as part of the same
core family unit. For the avoidance of doubt, a child of a friend or extended family member
(e.g. cousin) will not meet the definition of a 'sibling' even if they live at the same address as
the applicant child.
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF), a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the School
(CRP) and proof confirming their status. All documents are to be sent directly to the School
by the application deadline no later than the date by which the CAF has to be returned to
your Local Authority. It is not compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we
cannot give your child priority consideration without it.
This category does not apply to admission to the Sixth Form.
6.1.4 Children who meet the religious practice test and who at the time of the application attend
the following schools:
26 places will be allocated to children who attend Sinai Jewish Primary School;
9 places will be allocated to children who attend North West London Jewish Day
School.
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF) clearly stating the name of their child’s current
primary school on both the SIF and CAF, and a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the
School (CRP). All documents are to be sent directly to the School by the application deadline
no later than the date by which the CAF has to be returned to your Local Authority. It is not
compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we cannot give your child priority
consideration without it.
This category does not apply to admission to the Sixth Form.
6.1.5 All other children who meet the religious practice test
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the
School (CRP). All documents are to be sent directly to the School by the application deadline
no later than the date by which the CAF has to be returned to your Local Authority. It is not
compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we cannot give your child priority
consideration without it.
6.1.6 All other looked after or previously looked after children (as defined above)
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a
Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and provide a signed formal letter from the child's
social worker or former social worker confirming their status. All documents are to be sent
directly to the School by the application deadline no later than the date by which the CAF has
to be returned to your Local Authority. It is not compulsory to submit the JFS CRP but we
cannot give your child priority consideration without it.
Page 4
6.1.7 All other children
7 Tie Breaker
7.1 In any of the above oversubscription categories, if there are more applicants than there are places
available, the order in which places are allocated will be determined by random allocation, which will
be carried out by Brent Local Authority using its Schools Admissions Module software which is
independently verified.
8 Twins, Triplets and Siblings of a Higher Multiple Birth
8.1 Where a twin, triplet(s) or sibling(s) of a higher multiple birth achieves a place at the School within the
published admission number in the normal way, but their twin, triplet(s) or sibling(s) of a higher
multiple birth did not achieve a place, the School will nevertheless admit their twin, triplet(s) or
sibling(s) of a higher multiple birth even where this means exceeding the published admission number.
This does not apply to admission to the Sixth Form.
9 Child's Home Address
9.1 The child's home address is the residential (not business) address of their parent (as defined above) at
which they live and sleep for more than 50% of their time from Sunday night to Thursday night during
term time, and the address at which they are registered with their GP, hospital, dentist and/or optician,
and at which Child Benefit/Child Tax Credit (if eligible) is claimed, at the time of application.
10 Children of UK Armed Forces Personnel/Crown Servants
10.1 Applications for the admission of children of UK armed forces personnel with a confirmed posting to
the area, or Crown servants returning from overseas to live in the area, will be accepted and processed
before the family moves.
If you wish to claim priority based on this oversubscription criteria, you should complete a JFS
Application Form, a JFS Certificate of Religious Practice for the School (CRP) and provide an official
letter giving a relocation date and a Unit postal address or quartering area address. All documents are
to be sent directly to the School. It is not compulsory to complete a SIF or submit the JFS CRP but we
cannot give your child priority consideration without it.
11 Application Procedure for Admission to Year 7 in September
11.1 Applications for admission to Year 7 in September are known as applications made 'in the normal
admission round', through the Local Authority’s coordinated admissions process.
11.2 Applications in the normal admission round must be made directly to the child's home Local Authority
by completing and submitting a Common Application Form (CAF), which is available to download or
complete online via the child's home Local Authority's website, by the application deadline.
11.3 The application deadline for admission to Year 7 in the normal admission round is 31
October 2020.
11.4 National Offer Day for admission to Year 7 in the normal admission round is 1 March 2021.
Page 5
12 Application Procedure for In-Year Admission to Year 7 and Admission to Years 8 to 11 please refer
to Section 6 for Oversubscription criteria
12.1 Applications for in-year admission to Year 7 and to Years 8 to 11 are known as applications made
'outside the normal admission round' or 'in-year admission'.
12.2 In-year admission applications must be made directly to the School, not the Local Authority, by
completing an In-Year Admission Application Form and which is available to download on the School's
website or in hard copy from the School's main office, and submitting it to the School at the address
stated below.
13 Minimum Academic Entry Criteria for entry into Year 12
13.1 The School sets Minimum Academic Entry Criteria for entry to Year 12, which is a minimum threshold
for each different pathway for study, along with subject specific entry requirements, which must be
met before Year 11 students can transfer to Year 12, or external candidates can be admitted. The
Minimum Academic Entry Criteria is published on the School's website alongside this policy. There are
4 different pathways A-D, each with its own entry criteria.
13.2 The Minimum Academic Entry Criteria is the same for Year 11 students and external candidates. Once
met, Year 11 students will transfer to Year 12, and external candidates will be on an equal footing for
places, with the oversubscription criteria set out below being applied where there are more
applications than places available.
13.3 A meeting may take place between members of the Sixth Form staff and Year 11 students/external
candidates. This meeting is to allow Year 11 students/external candidates to discuss course options
and entry requirements before completing and submitting their applications. The meeting is not an
interview, and its outcome will play no part in the application process.
13.4 It should be noted that the School cannot make exceptions to the published Minimum Academic Entry
Criteria, except where the School determines that it should do so as a reasonable adjustment for a
disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Exceptions cannot be made in other circumstances.
14 Application Procedure for Admission to Year 12 in September (External Candidates)
14.1 Applications for the admission of external candidates to Year 12 must be made directly to the School,
by completing and submitting a Sixth Form Admission Application Form, which is available to
download on the School's website or in hard copy from the School's main office, and submitting it to
the School at the address stated below.
14.2 Oversubscription categories 6.1.3 and 6.1.4 do not apply to admission to the Sixth Form.
14.3 If the additional documents are not received with the application, the application will be processed
without them and external candidate will be placed in the next oversubscription category which
applies, which will reduce their chance of achieving a place at the School.
14.4 The application deadline for admission to Year 12 in September is 22 January 2021.
14.5 Conditional offers are usually made by the end of the Spring term. These offers will be made based on
the predicted grades stated in the Sixth Form Admission Application Form, and will be conditional upon
the external candidate meeting the Minimum Academic Entry Criteria for the pathway and courses
chosen.
Page 6
15 Completed Application Forms
15.1 All completed Year 7 Application Forms, In-Year Admission Application Forms and Sixth Form
Application Forms where applicable, with the additional documents must be sent to:
Admissions Officer
JFS School
The Mall
Kenton
Harrow
HA3 9TE
15.2 If the additional documents are not received with the application, the application will be processed
without them and applicant child will be placed in the next oversubscription category which applies,
which will reduce their chance of achieving a place at the School.
16 Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP)
16.1 As a Jewish school, the School is permitted to use oversubscription criteria which gives priority to
children of the Jewish faith over other children. Accordingly, oversubscription categories 6.1.1, 6.1.2,
6.1.3, 6.1.4 or 6.1.5 apply to children who meet the religious practice test.
16.2 In order to meet the religious practice test, children must achieve three points in the ways set out in
detail in the Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP), which is available to download on the School's
website or in hard copy from the School's main office. Parents should carefully consider the criteria
set out in this form well before applying for a place at the School.
16.3 Parents should note that meeting the religious practice test does not give a right of admission, it
confirms that the child meets the criteria for inclusion in one of the oversubscription categories to
which this test applies.
17 Waiting List
17.1 The School operates a waiting list for children who are unsuccessful in achieving a place in all year
groups and throughout the school year.
17.2 The waiting list is ranked strictly in accordance with the oversubscription criteria set out in this policy,
not by reference to the date that the child's name was added to the list.
17.3 Whenever a place becomes available, all children falling within the highest category to apply will be
eligible for random selection, which will be carried out by Brent Local Authority using its Schools
Admissions Module software which is independently verified.
18 Statutory Right of Appeal
18.1 Parents have a statutory right of appeal against the refusal of a place at the School. This applies to all
year groups, including the Sixth Form.
Page 7
18.2 Full details of the statutory right of appeal will be set out in the formal letter notifying parents of the
refusal of a place, including the deadline for lodging an appeal. The School will also publish an appeals
timetable for appeals against the refusal of a place in the normal admission round alongside this policy
on or before 28 February.
19 Requests for Admission Outside Normal Age Group
19.1 Parents have an absolute right to request that their child to be admitted to a year group other than
their normal year group at the School. There is likely to be a variety of reasons for making this request,
for example where their child is gifted, has suffered a long period of illness or has been educated
overseas and are used to studying at a different level.
19.2 Parents do not, however, have an absolute right to determine that their child will be admitted outside
their normal age group. Such requests must be considered by the Admission Committee, which will
consider the request and decide whether or not to agree it in principle, or refuse it.
19.3 Requests for admission outside normal age group are not applications for admission, which must be
made separately in the usual way. Parents are urged to make their requests in a timely manner, well
before any deadlines, so that they can make informed choices when submitting the application for
admission.
19.4 The Admission Committee will make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case and in
the best interests of the child concerned, taking into account the parents' views, information about
the child’s academic, social and emotional development, the child's medical history and the views of
their medical professionals, whether they have previously been educated or attended nursery out of
their normal age group, and whether they may naturally have fallen into a lower age group, if it were
not for being born prematurely. They will also take into account the views of the Headteacher of the
School. This is not an exhaustive list, and parents may put forward any matters for the Admission
Committee to consider.
19.5 Parents should make their requests by completing a Request for Admission Outside Normal Age Group
Form, which is available to download on the School's website or in hard copy from the School's main
office, and sending it with any supporting documents to:
Admissions Officer
JFS School
The Mall
Kenton
Harrow
HA3 9TE
19.6 In all cases, the Admission Committee will notify parents of the outcome of their request formally in
writing, explaining its reasons in sufficient detail for parents to understand why it came to that
decision. Where the request is agreed in principle, the letter confirming this should accompany any
application for admission subsequently made for a place at the School.
19.7 Parents do not have a statutory right of appeal against a refusal of a request for admission outside
normal age group, but they may submit a complaint under the School's published Complaints Policy if
they are unhappy with the way the request was dealt with.