Shalom & Welcome to Yavneh College

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Message from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

In the aftermath of the destruction of the Temple in 70CE and the subsequent exile of our people, the school at Yavneh in Israel guaranteed the survival of the Jewish nation, against the odds.

Ever since that time, Yavneh has been a term synonymous with high quality Jewish education and Jewish continuity. In this context, Yavneh College admirably lives up to its name.

Ever since the opening of the school in September 2006, I have derived much pleasure in seeing the school achieve outstanding standards in both Jewish and secular education. Dr Dena Coleman, still so sadly missed, has left a wonderful legacy for her talented successor, Mr Spencer Lewis, to build on.

Yavneh College provides a solid, well-rounded education, inculcating in its students both a loyalty to our faith with a desire to make a valuable contribution to society. In my role as Chief Rabbi, I am setting Jewish education as a high priority. I hardly need to tell you, as prospective parents, how crucially important Jewish day schools are.

In our daily Amida prayer, our first plea to the Almighty is “Ata chonen…” – for the attainment of knowledge, discernment and understanding. Through our schools, our timeless tradition finds timely relevance for our children, and our rich heritage and proud identity are passed on to future generations.

I send my heartfelt blessings and good wishes to the Headteacher, staff and all involved in the running of Yavneh College. May the school continue to be a source of great pride for the Anglo Jewish community.

With every good wish,

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Throughout my time here I have discovered so much about myself and the subjects I love. Every day is enjoyable as today is never the same as yesterday.

Year 9 Pupil

Message from the Executive Head Teacher

Yavneh College, part of the Yavneh family of schools, is an inspiring place to learn and a special place to work, we have a truly outstanding school and I am honoured to lead this amazing school.

At Yavneh College we nurture every individual with inspirational teaching and an incredible range of opportunities ensuring that every pupil realises their full potential. GCSE and A Level results are among the best in the country both in terms of progress and attainment.

The level of academic excellence throughout the school ensures that Yavneh graduates are very well-equipped to face all the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

We are very proud of the fact that we have Leading Edge Status. Offered to the top 1% of schools in the UK, this is a select group of schools that provide an outstanding education and exceptional academic results both at GCSE and A Level.

A firm belief in the principles of modern orthodoxy has always been the foundation upon which I have based my personal and professional life and thus the essential balance of the highest academic standards; together with outstanding Jewish curriculum and programming, remain at the core of my vision as Executive Headteacher of the Yavneh Schools.

As a modern orthodox school everyone at Yavneh College is committed to developing pupils who have first-class Jewish knowledge and skills; a sense of commitment to the community and pride in Israel. The Jewish life of the school is vibrant and exciting with a remarkable range of curricular and extracurricular experiences which are the very heartbeat of the school.

Once you have seen everything that we have to offer, I am sure you will agree that Yavneh College is a wonderful school and hope that you will entrust your child’s education to us

Mr S Lewis
Executive Headteacher

Yavneh College has given me so much confidence and the teaching is amazing.

Year 7 Pupil

A world built on kindness

I love this school. If I need help I always have someone I can turn to.

Year 8 Pupil

Teaching & Learning

Outstanding teaching is at the core of life at Yavneh College. Lessons are exciting and stimulating and pupils are challenged to think in creative ways.

This is why academic results are exceptional, placing the school at the top of national league tables on an annual basis.

In Years 7 and 8 pupils study: English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, French, Geography, History, Ivrit (Hebrew), Music, PE and Spanish and of course, Jewish Studies. All pupils cover Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education in their Form group each week.

In Years 9, 10 and 11, pupils study a core programme of GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Religious Studies, PE and either Double Science or separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A wide range of other GCSE options are offered including Geography, History, Business Studies, Additional Maths, Computing, Electronics, Resistant Materials, Food Technology, Graphics, French, Ivrit, Spanish, Art, Music, Drama and PE.

We also offer vocational options in Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form in Business Studies.

At Yavneh College pupils are taught in the main in mixed ability groups in line with the school’s believe in Growth Mindset. As pupils progress there are more ability sets in a number of subjects, particularly in Maths which is taught in ability sets from Year 8. All pupils are set individual targets and their progress is regularly monitored to ensure that they achieve their full potential. We provide four progress updates through the year including a Parents’ Evening.

Pupils are expected to study independently, completing homework tasks set by their teachers. They are welcome to attend our homework club after school from 4-6pm on Mondays to Thursdays, where they can work in peaceful surroundings with access to reference materials and ICT.

Meet our heads of department

Teachers have high expectations of the pupils and good relationships with them. Lessons are frequently inspirational and enthusiastically received so learning moves forward apace. Pupil behaviour is outstanding. Pupils engage well with opportunities for independent learning and ICT resources make a strong contribution to the quality of learning.

2011 Ofsted Inspection

Jewish Life

Yavneh College is a modern orthodox school which welcomes pupils from across the spectrum of Jewish practice. Through our Jewish Studies curriculum, we imbue pupils with a passion for learning, a love of Torah and the State of Israel and teach them respect for diversity.

Pupils study a carefully designed curriculum consisting of Tenach (Bible) Talmud and Jewish History which is appropriately differentiated for those who join the school both from Jewish and non-Jewish primary schools. For those pupils seeking a more intensive textual study programme, advanced texts are taught throughout the school both during the school day and at after-school classes in our Bet Midrash programme.

We believe that Hebrew is more than just a tool to access classical Jewish texts. All pupils are taught Ivrit (Hebrew) as a vibrant modern language and are given the opportunity to visit Israel with the school on our very popular Israel tour.

The formal Jewish Studies curriculum is complemented by an exciting and stimulating programme of informal Jewish education and cultural activities including Shabbatonim, trips and a host of activities for Jewish festivals and community action.

Our goal is to produce young people for whom respect and understanding is critical and for who gaining an insight into wider culture is central to their identity. Our pupils learn about other faiths, undertake various projects with neighbouring schools and communities and learn about the essential British values of democracy, respect and good citizenship.

Yavneh College pupils are expected to exemplify the values they are taught; to treat others with respect, to contribute to the school community and to play an active part in our tzedakah (charity) and chesed (kindness) campaigns. It is important that pupils recognise their responsibility towards the various communities to which they belong. Therefore, we raise money each year for three charities: a British Jewish charity, a general British charity and an Israeli charity. As part of our focus on active citizenship, pupils participate in social action projects such as visiting retirement homes and preparing food for the needy.

We want our pupils to leave as fluent Hebrew readers who are able to participate when attending services and Jewish events. To this end, an afternoon Mincha service is held daily for all pupils and a morning Shacharit service is held on certain days and on whole school celebrations such as Purim and Yom Ha’atzmaut. A voluntary Shacharit service is held before school every day in our beautiful school synagogue, followed by breakfast.

Without the help of my teachers, I would not have achieved what I have. I am so grateful and will miss the school a lot.

Year 13 Pupil

Enrichment

The school has just under 1,000 pupils which is the optimum size for a secondary school; it is large enough to be able to offer a full range of GCSE, vocational and Sixth Form options yet small enough for every pupil to be known as an individual and be carefully monitored and nurtured.

We believe that it is important to ensure that our pupils are offered a range of extra-curricular opportunities in order to develop their talents and interests. We have designed our school day to incorporate a lesson at the start of the afternoon session twice a week in Years 7 & 8 and three times a week in Year 9, so that we can offer a wide-ranging ‘Enrichment Programme’ of clubs and activities in which all pupils participate. This programme now extends to Key Stage 4 who also have enrichment sessions at least one day a week.

The school has twice received the prestigious QISS Award for outstanding extra-curricular provision and study support for this exceptional initiative.

The Enrichment Programme offers more than 75 different activities, including a host of sporting, music, art and drama opportunities.

The current list includes more unusual ones such as: Meditation, Zumba, Philosophy, Fashion & Textile Design, Journalism, Cookery, Jewellery Making, various sports, Extreme Golf and Re-building a Classic Car.

Other extra-curricular activities available for all pupils include: participation in school plays, public speaking competitions, poetry competitions, musicals and concerts, visits to theatres, galleries and museums, gliding, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and after-school sports clubs.

Many of our pupils take the opportunity to have individual lessons with our team of peripatetic music tutors during the school day; we offer piano, keyboard, brass, woodwind, strings, harp, guitar, drums and singing. Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are provided for through our excellent SEND department led by an experienced SENDCO and three HLTAs. SEND pupils have 1:1 help, group work and interventions to help them meet their individual needs.

Able, gifted and talented pupils are identified in every subject. Teachers work hard to ensure that these pupils are provided with appropriately challenging work. They participate in special programmes and events in and outside of school, to ensure that they maximise their potential.

Find our more about our enrichment programme

Care, Guidance & Support

Pupils at Yavneh College have a team of non-teaching Pastoral Managers to monitor and guide them; these highly skilled professionals ensure that every child who transfers to our school is well looked after throughout their time with us. The maintenance of a caring, orderly atmosphere in the school is our priority, so that everyone feels safe, happy and able to benefit from all that the school has to offer.

Our pupils are expected to be polite, considerate and helpful to other pupils, staff and visitors to the school. Good behaviour is the norm at Yavneh and is encouraged and rewarded. In our Ofsted inspection, pupil behaviour was graded as outstanding.

Yavneh College is situated on a 13- acre site in Borehamwood. Our £30m school campus has been designed to offer state- of-the-art facilities, including: seven science laboratories, three specialist design technology workshops, three art rooms, wellequipped ICT rooms, a music suite incorporating a performance room for music ensembles and rooms for recording and instrumental tuition, a large drama suite, a theatre and a spacious learning resource centre.

PE facilities are excellent. There is a large sports complex comprising a sports hall and aerobics/dance studio, outdoor courts for netball, hockey, handball, basketball and tennis; nine acres of playing fields which provide rugby and football pitches and an athletics track in summer.

Meet our pastoral team Wellbeing at Yavneh College