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Kerem
Schools
Prospectus
Addresses
Admissions Procedure
Aims
Arranging To Visit The Schools
Background
Curriculum
Educational Excellence
Educational Visits
Extra Curricular Activities
Fees
General Information
Homework
Jewish Ethos
Kerem House Nursery School
Lunches
Parental Involvement
School Governors
School Hours
Staff
Uniforms
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Thank you for your interest in Kerem Schools. Our prospectus contains all the information you will need about the schools, but please do not hesitate to contact us if there are any further questions you would like answered.
FEES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008
KEREM SCHOOL. All Day - including lunches £ 2385.00 per termKEREM HOUSE . From the term after your child’s third birthday, you will be eligible to receive the nursery grant which will automatically be deducted from your bill; it is approximately £500 per term.
All Day-including lunches £ 2095.00 per term All Day twice a week inc lunches £ 1687.50 per term Morning Session £ 1280.00 per term Afternoon Session £ 810.00 per term ALLOWANCES
Amount deductible per child if payment is received by first Friday of term £20 Allowance for first sibling attending Kerem School £50 Allowance for second sibling attending Kerem school £120 Allowance for third sibling attending Kerem School £190 Allowance for sibling attending Kerem House full-time
£40 Allowance for sibling attending Kerem House two full days a week £30 Allowance for sibling attending Kerem House part-time £20
KEREM SCHOOLS' GOVERNORS AND ADMINSTRATIVE STAFF
Chairman: Mr Jonathan Goldstein Vice Chairman Mr Joe Stelzer President: Mr Julian Taylor Honorary Principal: Rabbi Reuven Livingstone Honorary Treasurers Mr Anthony Sober
Mr Neville KahnChairman, Education and Staffing
Mrs Talya Singer PTA Chairman Mrs Phillippa Hasenson PTA Treasurer: Mr Darren Selig Members: Mr Giles Cohen
Mrs Amanda Collins
Dr Trever Fenner
Mr Richard Fox
Mr Sam Grodzinski
Head Teacher, Kerem School: Mrs Rosalind Goulden Head Teacher, Kerem House: Mrs Diana Rose Schools' Bursar/ Secretary Mrs Jane Sagal
KEREM SCHOOL STAFFHEAD TEACHER
Mrs Rosalind Goulden M Ed, B Ed (Hons), Cert EdDEPUTY HEAD
Mr David Sweetland Cert Ed, Dip Soc St, JP (Year 4 class teacher)SECULAR STAFF
KS1 and PSHE Co-ordinator:
Mrs Gillian Borman Cert Ed (Year 1 class teacher)Mathematics Co-ordinator
Mrs Brenda Greenberg Cert Ed (Year 5 class teacher)English Co-ordinator
Mrs Susan Sondhelm BA (Hons), PGCETeachers
Miss J Glasser LLB PGCE QTS(Reception class teacher)
Miss L Illan BSc (Hons) PGCE (Year 1 class teacher)
Miss Judith Wolinsky BA (Hons) PGCE, TEFL (Year 2 class teacher) Miss Jacobs (Year 3 class teacher)
Mrs A Sheldon BA (Hons) PGCE (Year 6 class teacher)
Mrs Helen Taylor Cert Ed
Mrs Jacqueline Levy B Ed
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
Mrs Stacey Sinclair BA, DipEd QTSLearning Support Teachers
Mrs Dalia Haber BA (Hons) PGCE DipSpLDICT Co-ordinator
Mrs Rebecca Summer BSc (Hons), PGCESports and Events Co-ordinator
Mrs Ruth Shebson B Ed (Hons)Welfare Officer
Mrs Lindsay Elliott PPAAssistants
Mrs Anna Hanassab PPA
Mrs M Hammer B Ed
Miss T Cowen
Ms D Shannon NVQ
Mrs M FeldmanSports Coaches
Helen Berti B Ed
Steve Berti B Ed (Hons)JEWISH STUDIES STAFF
Head of Jewish Studies
Mr Jeremy Richards MA. BA(Hons), PGCEJS KS1 Co-ordinator
Mrs Ruth Stahl B Ed (Hons) Dip EdJS Teacher
Mrs Nechami Haschel B Ed (Hons)
Mrs L Dulberg BEdJS Support Teacher
Mrs Irit Saul BA
Mr H Mirvis BScIvrit Teacher
Miss Rachel Ger BA Teaching CertMusic Teacher
Mrs Nechami Haschel B Ed
Mrs A Gilbert BmusTCM PGCESports Coaches
Helen Berti B Ed
Steve Berti B Ed
KEREM HOUSE STAFF
HEAD TEACHER
Mrs Diana Rose MA Ed, Cert Ed, Cert TEFL, Dip Jewish StudiesDEPUTY HEAD TEACHER
Mrs Lilian Dulberg B Ed
SECULAR STAFF
Teachers
Miss Charlene Goldstein HdipEd
Mrs Martine Hammer BEd
Mrs Annette Philip Cert Ed, ADCE
Miss Karen Sherwood ADCEClassroom Assistants
Mrs Bertha Elton BA BEd
Mrs Josephine Elias PPA
Mrs Michelle Ellis NVQ3 CCLD
Mrs Rita Gigi DPP
Mrs Miriam Haziza CCE
Miss Elisheva Gluck
Miss Keren Neuman
Mrs Nicole Sharp CPP
Mrs Linda Tibber PPA
JEWISH STUDIES STAFFTeacher
Mrs Aviva Shoolman Hebrew Teachers CertMUSIC AND MOVEMENT
Mrs Jenny KossewHOUSEKEEPER
Mrs Barbara Proud
Kerem Schools’ aims are to provide a broad, stimulating and intensive secular and Jewish education, linked to the needs of each child, within a caring, structured and purposeful environment.
Kerem House Nursery seeks to lay firm foundations for future learning across all areas of experience. Kerem School is proud of its excellent academic record. Emphasis is placed on individual attention being given to each child so that the highest possible standard can be reached.
We want our pupils to enjoy their time with us, recognising their strong personal link with Jewish learning, traditions and culture under the guidance of our Honorary Principal Rabbi.
We have an exceptional team of professional teachers whose major priority is to help every pupil achieve his or her potential and find expression for individual talents.
The history of Kerem Schools began in 1948 when Stanley Frankfurt established Kerem School for children from three years old up to the age of seven in the old Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue hall. The school subsequently acquired the site in Kingsley Way, Hampstead Garden Suburb, which is now the home of Kerem House Nursery School.
In 1956 the school was successfully extended to full primary education and Kerem School was developed on the current Norrice Lea site by parents who wanted their children to be educated to a high standard in a traditional Jewish environment up to the age of eleven. Kerem School is situated alongside the Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue and the spacious classrooms underwent total refurbishment in 1994.
Kerem House Nursery in Kingsley way offers unique facilities for pre-school children. Both the extensive garden with all-weather safety surface and the light airy building offer children opportunities to enjoy their early years education.
Kerem Schools offer a stimulating atmosphere which we warmly invite you to come and see for yourself.
One of the most satisfying aspects of Kerem Schools is the level of co-operation with our parents and their involvement in the children’s school life. We value the regular contact which takes place between teachers and parents and know that the constructive dialogue enhances children’s school performance.
At the beginning of each school year parents are invited to meet their child’s new teacher and to hear about the teaching programme for the coming year.
Parents of children at Kerem School are invited to discuss progress with their children’s teachers at consultation evenings held in both the autumn and spring terms.
In addition, we produce an end of year report in the summer term for all children.
We hold an open evening for Kerem House Nursery parents in the summer term and children of the Nursery receive an annual written report at the end of the school year.
Parents at both schools are welcome to discuss any issues relating to their children with the teachers and Head Teachers during the course of the year.
The Schools have an active Parent-Teacher Association, which is a group of parents and teachers from both Kerem House and Kerem School.The PTA liaises between parents and staff of the schools. Parents of the schools meet at social and fund-raising events and parents are welcome to assist in fund-raising activities, festival celebrations and outings. In addition, they organise various lectures and workshops of interest to parents. All members of the schools’ community are encouraged to be actively involved.
Introduction
Kerem School was founded to provide quality Jewish and secular education for families in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Now, pupils from many surrounding areas attend, and children from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to develop an enthusiasm for an Orthodox way of life. The setting within the Synagogue in the Norrice Lea premises, which are used daily for assembly, contributes to the unique Jewish atmosphere of the school. We are proud of our creative approach to Jewish Studies and the emphasis placed on the enjoyment of practical Judaism, under the guidance of the Hon. Principal, Rabbi R Livingstone MA, LLM, PgDipCPsych, JD.
This guide has been written to assist you in supporting your child's Jewish learning, by providing you with information about the Jewish aims and ideals of the school, together with a brief outline of the Jewish Studies programme.
The Jewish Values of Kerem School
Kerem is an Orthodox school, with a modern outlook, and a commitment to traditional Torah-based Jewish values. We promote a strong sense of Jewish identity, a love of Israel and a caring attitude to all Jews.
In the Shema it states v'shinantam l'vanecha v'dibarta bam, "you shall teach them to your children and talk about them" which tells us that we have the obligation to educate and guide our children. This means that you, as parents, are our partners in your child's education. We hope you will participate in your child's religious learning and that this will contribute to an enthusiasm for, and intensification of, the practice of Orthodox Judaism. We consider that providing a knowledge and understanding of Judaism is our raison d'être as a Jewish school and that being immersed in the tradition, as part of everyday life, will give our pupils a love of Judaism, a firm commitment to our faith and a clear sense of identity.
Your Role as Parents
Because of the variety of Jewish backgrounds of our families, we ask all parents to undertake to support our common values. Various rules exist in school, for example, wearing kippot and tsisit and regarding food that may be brought into school (i.e. food permitted by the London Beth Din as listed in "The Really Jewish Food Guide"). We want to be confident that all our pupils can mix freely and without embarrassment out of school, and this can only be achieved by parents keeping to certain agreed conventions. You will show your commitment to the aims and ideals of the school by observing the following guidelines:-
- When pupils are invited to your home or to a party, please ensure that the highest standard of kashrut is observed. If you are in doubt, information and advice are available from the school or the Hon. Principal, Rabbi Livingstone.
- If children are invited to your home for Shabbat and Chagim, take care that the atmosphere and practices are appropriate. If your child is invited to another house, please make sure that he/she understands and respects the host family's religious commitment.
- Fathers are requested to actively show support for their child's learning by wearing a kippah whenever on school premises.
Our Jewish Studies Programme
The broad-based Jewish studies curriculum aims to instil a deep knowledge and appreciation of Jewish tradition and ethics. There is a strong emphasis on learning Hebrew as the living language of the Jewish people and the timeless language of Torah, our prayers and sacred texts.
Throughout daily school life, we expect pupils to act in accordance with the Jewish values that guide relationships and behaviour.
Through our programmes of study, we aim to develop within our pupils an awareness and love of their Jewish identity and heritage. The teaching of Hebrew and Jewish Studies constitutes about 25 per cent of the school day. Every morning begins with Tefillah which ensures that pupils quickly become familiar with the main prayers and can easily find their way in the siddur. Before lunch, pupils say netilat yadayim and hamotzi (washing hands and bracha before eating bread) and, after lunch, pupils say bircat hamazon (grace after meals).
The Jewish studies syllabus has a variety of elements - Torah, Dinim, Mishna, Ivrit (including Hebrew reading and writing), the Jewish Calendar, Jewish Living, Tefillah and Parshat Hashavua. Different emphasis is placed on these areas depending on the age of the class. For example, there is a far greater emphasis on the teaching of Hebrew reading in the younger classes, whereas, in older classes, where children have acquired this skill, far more time is spent learning Chumash, Mishna and Biblical commentaries.
Throughout the year, children are taught about the festivals and other important days in the Jewish Calendar. Wherever possible, we celebrate these together, for example on Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim and Yom Ha'atzmaut, and we believe that this ensures that children learn more effectively by providing them with enjoyable experiences. We aim to involve parents as much as possible and we invite you to attend events during the year, such as our Chanukah concert, Purim Seuda, the demonstration Seder and Rosh Chodesh Tefillah.
We believe that the ability to speak and understand Ivrit enhances the understanding of Jewish sources, therefore Ivrit is taught throughout the school. Kerem has developed a unique Torah b'Ivrit scheme, consisting of reading and workbooks, which is taught in classes Y2-Y6. Hebrew grammar is taught alongside this programme.
Each week, every class learns Parshat Hashavua (the weekly portion from Torah) and pupils in the top class prepare a D'var Torah that they present to the rest of the school every erev Shabbat.
In addition to the Jewish Studies syllabus, wherever possible, teachers integrate aspects of the childrens' secular studies with Jewish learning. This enables us to show that Judaism is relevant throughout our daily lives and has much to say about many contemporary issues such as the environment, relationships and our treatment of others. In this way, children see the interaction of Jewish life with the rest of society and are prepared to feel confident in our modern secular world.
Our Parental Involvement Programme
When children are at a Jewish day school, many parents like to take the opportunity to update or increase their own Jewish knowledge. The school organises various classes to suit the interests and needs of parents and you will be informed of the different courses and events. You, as a parent, can provide a very special role model for your child and show that you value Jewish learning by becoming a learner yourself.
In addition, we ask you to take your children to shul and to enable them to share in preparing for Shabbat and the Chagim to reinforce all that they have learned in school.
Kerem House is a well-established nursery school. It provides the children with a secure and stimulating environment in which to explore their world under the expert guidance of caring, trained and qualified nursery staff.
We have a close relationship, both with parents and future schools, to enable a smooth transition from home to nursery and between nursery and school. Children over the age of 2 years 6 months are admitted but entry is usually at the beginning of the term in which the children have their third birthday. Children may be offered either morning or afternoon school, and the older children can attend for a full day when they are ready.
The nursery routines and provision are of the highest quality so as to nurture and stimulate the development of each child. The Kerem House curriculum is based on the National Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage and develops personal, social and physical skills, together with early literacy and numeracy. Through interesting and varied activities, the children’s understanding and knowledge of the world are extended. These areas all interrelate and take place within a Jewish framework.
Concentration, perseverance with learning and self-reliance, all key skills for success with studies, are encouraged. Through play the children develop their confidence and self-esteem and practise skills in co-operating, sharing, taking turns and problem solving. As they act out different roles, they learn to view things from different perspectives and form important concepts.
The children are given a wide range of experiences and activities which develop confidence and competence in communicating with both adults and peers. At story-time, the children’s listening skills and their vocabulary are extended. Sharing books encourages their imagination and develops an awareness of the importance of the written word. Children are taught to recognise letters and sounds through a variety of methods.
Concepts of size, weight, capacity, shape, money, time and space are introduced. The children are given opportunities to explore and create patterns, sequence and order. Teachers discuss these experiences using mathematical language. Songs, number rhymes, games and stories familiarise the children with counting and they are taught to recognise and use numbers.
We develop the children’s physical control, mobility, spatial awareness and manipulative skills, both indoors through art, technology, music and movement and cookery, and outdoors in the large, well-equipped garden. The children are given the chance to respond to physical challenges within a safe and secure environment.
The children’s curiosity about the world around them provides the starting point for scientific investigation. They are encouraged to enquire, test ideas, discover patterns and predict outcomes. The children have opportunities to use computers. They are taken on outings to extend their awareness of the environment.
Within the structured and balanced curriculum, we integrate a variety of Jewish experiences, such as daily prayers, songs and Torah stories. The ethos promotes respect and caring for others. A love of Israel and Jewish traditions is developed and the children are introduced to spoken Ivrit and the aleph bet. Our children spend their time at Kerem House in the positive and happy atmosphere of living Judaism, where the Chagim are celebrated and the Shabbat party on Friday is looked forward to all week.
Kerem School – Educational Excellence
Our children are encouraged to develop their abilities to the highest possible levels of excellence.
Our classes are kept small (a maximum of 25 children in any class) and there is a warm, caring atmosphere created by our staff in order to give each child a sense of place, purpose and real achievement.
At Kerem School we offer a broad and intensive curriculum which encompasses the best features of the National Curriculum, the demands of which are closely monitored. The traditional core skills in English, Maths and Science are stressed and, in addition, the school offers a balanced and exciting programme of study in secular subjects which include Geography, History, Technology, Music, Art, PE and Information and Communciation Technology.
The children’s progress is continually monitored and assessed. We work through nationally standardised tests to build up a profile of our children’s abilities as they progress through the school. We help our pupils to develop a disciplined approach to class and project work.
When the time comes to consider the right secondary school for our children, we help to identify where each pupil’s potential can be realised and offer parents assistance in their selection.
We maintain close relationships with all leading secondary schools to which our pupils graduate, regularly reviewing entry requirements.
We achieve excellent secondary school entry results - over the past few years over 90 per cent of our pupils have gained entry to their first choice of school, including City of London (Boys and Girls Schools), Haberdashers’ Aske’s (Boys and Girls Schools), Hasmonean High School (Boys and Girls), Henrietta Barnett School, Highgate School, Immanuel College, JFS, North London Collegiate School, South Hampstead High School and University College School.
Homework is an essential element in successful primary school learning and we believe it is an excellent way to enhance pupils’ application and understanding. It provides a link between home and school, reinforcing what is learned in the classroom, assisting pupils to consolidate their knowledge and enabling parents to support their children’s learning.
Kerem School pupils begin to take home some work in Reception class; although the amount is very modest at this stage we believe that the earlier the children learn to apply themselves to school work outside the classroom, the better able they are to work on their own initiative. We expect parents to help children to plan their time, create a working atmosphere, and monitor children’s homework diaries.
As the children progress up the school, the amount of homework increases to a maximum of one hour a day, and at that stage we expect children to be able to produce consistent work independently.
Homework is given for both secular subjects and Jewish studies.
A wide range of clubs are held during and after school, which include Art, Chess, Computer, Drama, Newspaper and various sports.
Outings to theatres, museums, historical and geographical sites enrich children’s learning through first-hand experience.
During the year each class has the opportunity to visit places of interest which support topics being taught in history, geography, science, English, music and Jewish studies.
In addition there is a residential field trip for all pupils in the top class.
Children at Kerem House enjoy visits to local parks, the theatre and farm to introduce them to new learning experiences.
Arranging to Visit the Schools
Please contact the schools’ offices for an appointment to visit Kerem House Nursery or Kerem School. We give you the opportunity to see the schools before completing an application form – we are proud to show you our facilities and give you the chance to see the schools in action.
Application forms are available from the school office, and once applications have been received, the Head Teachers arrange to meet parents of prospective pupils for interview.
Admission to the schools is for pupils who are recognised as Jewish by the Chief Rabbi or are accepted by the Chief Rabbi as suitable for education at the schools.
Children are usually admitted to Kerem House in the school term in which they have their third birthday. Children applying to Kerem School are given priority.
Children are admitted to Kerem School in the September following their fourth birthday. The usual preparation for Kerem School is through Kerem House. Places are filled in accordance with entry criteria and following interview with the Head Teacher.
Occasionally there are vacancies for places further up the school and entry is via tests with the prospective pupil and Head Teacher’s interview.
We are committed to the provision of equal opportunity for all our children, regardless of gender and background. We aim to teach the children tolerance towards all members of society so that they will learn to value the contribution of each person in our multi-cultural society.
Children with special needs can be catered for and accepted into the schools, providing there have been full discussions with the Head Teachers prior to entry and it is in the child’s best interests. The schools aim to follow the procedures for identification and assessment of pupils with Special Educational Needs as outlined in the Code of Practice.
Both schools have detailed statements of the Health and Safety arrangements, which aim to ensure that all reasonably practical steps are taken to secure the health, safety and welfare of all persons using the premises.
We aim to instil into our pupils high standards of behaviour and respect for each other and for the adults with whom they come into contact. Children are discouraged from aggressive or selfish actions and positive praise is given when appropriate in order to promote an effective learning environment. Corporal punishment is never administered, but children are taught the difference between right and wrong and given clear limits to help them feel secure. If bad behaviour persists and causes disruption, parents will be informed and involved in discussions and solutions.
Kerem House Nursery
Mornings 9.00am–12.15pm (Mon–Fri)
Afternoons 1.00pm–3.30pm (Mon–Thurs) 8.55am- 3.30pm (2nd Year Children)Kerem School
8.55am – 4.00pm
Reception class finishes at 3.30pm
Earlier closing on Friday afternoons in winter.
There is no formal uniform at Kerem House Nursery, although boys are expected to wear kippot and tzizit. Children wear a regulation overall for activities. Full uniform is worn at all times at Kerem School. The outfitters for the Kerem School uniform are:
Schoolwear, Brent Street,
Hendon, London NW4.
Kosher lunches are provided for all children at Kerem School and for those children attending all day at Kerem House.
Bursaries may be available where there is genuine difficulty in meeting the full fees. Details may be obtained from the Bursar. All applications are dealt with in strict confidence by the Honorary Treasurer.Fees
Fees are payable on the first day of each term. A schedule of current charges for Kerem House Nursery and Kerem School is included with the Prospectus.
Kerem House Nursery
18 Kingsley Way
Hampstead Garden Suburb
London N2 0ER
Telephone: 020-8455 7524Head Teacher
Mrs D Rose Cert Ed, MA EdKerem School
Norrice Lea
Hampstead Garden Suburb
London N2 0RE
Telephone: 020-8455 0909Head Teacher
Mrs R Goulden M EdSchool Secretary Mrs Evelynne Goldman
Schools’ Bursar
Mrs J Sagal
Kerem School – The Curriculum
EnglishAll learning takes place through language, which gives English a vital place within the curriculum.
The children are taught to communicate effectively, developing their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. They learn to express themselves creatively and to adapt their work to different situations.
Priority is given to the early attainment of reading skills which, in conjunction with handwriting and spelling skills, are developed through a structured scheme. Use is made of a wide range of literature, including non-fiction, poetry and dramatic texts.
Throughout the school emphasis is placed on understanding language patterns and structures, on spelling and presentation of work. ICT is used as an important resource in all facets of this subject. As an aid to the development of language, pupils are encouraged to prepare items and perform to a variety of audiences.
MathematicsWe place great emphasis on achievement in Mathematics, stressing the children’s understanding of basic concepts as well as using and applying their knowledge of numbers in problem solving. As children progress through the school they will be taught the skills needed for complex problem solving, algebra and mathematical investigation.
The children initially use a practical approach to shape, space and measuring, together with handling data. Computers are used to support their work in Mathematics and provide a visual understanding of mathematical ideas and problems.
ScienceIn Science, children develop a sense of enquiry, extending their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
Throughout the School the children learn scientific skills, including the need for careful observation and recording of experiments, which leads them to plan and undertake scientific investigations.
HistoryThrough the study of History, the children develop an awareness of the past and how it influences the present. They learn about significant events and people. Historical learning in the classroom is supplemented by a wide range of field trips and educational visits.
GeographyIn Geography, Kerem School pupils gain a greater understanding of the world, the environment and the ways of life and cultures of people in other places.
Pupils investigate the human and physical features of different distant (at the national and international scale) localities, including the immediate environment.
A residential field trip is arranged for children in Year 6 (the top class) to make an in-depth study of a locality in the United Kingdom.
Information TechnologyKerem School is preparing the children to participate in a rapidly changing world. Our pupils gain experience by regularly handling laptops, workstation computers, cameras and floor robots. They learn to explore, analyse and present information responsibly and creatively.
Physical EducationKerem School aims to encourage children to enjoy exercise and see it as part of a healthy lifestyle that will continue into adulthood.
Sports and physical education form an essential part of school life. The children play football, netball and rounders in the extensive playing fields adjoining the school. Classes also have regular PE lessons incorporating gymnastics, movement and dance.
Older children visit a local swimming pool weekly, where, under supervision of qualified instructors, they develop their skills and train for proficiency awards. An additional charge is made for these swimming lessons.
MusicMusic plays an important part in the life of the school. The songs of the morning assembly, music and movement and Hebrew singing all combine to enable children to use sounds and to respond to the music. Children visit a number of musical and theatrical events, which helps them to appreciate music and perform with others.
Art, Design and TechnologyThe children are encouraged to develop visual, tactile and sensory responses to the world around them. They explore the ideas and work of many artists, craftspeople and designers, and use painting, drawing, collage, print, textile, sculpture and ICT techniques.