REVISED SCHOOL ENTRY RULES

▶ ATTENDING ONLINE services is likely to count for entry to Jewish schools in 2022 even though physical attendance at a synagogue may be possible.

Schools under the authority of the Chief Rabbi are to begin consulting over entry rules for the year after next after the pandemic forced changes to admissions in 2021 policy this year.

In order to gain priority for places at a Jewish school, children need to gain qualifying points through attending a minimum of synagogue services over the year, or through family participation in education or Jewish community volunteering.

But with synagogues shut this year, instead parents have been allowed to count participation in online eve of Shabbat or festival services or in a special online education course.

According to the latest guidance from the Office of the Chief Rabbi, the option of joining an online service should remain, even though normal services on premises may have resumed.

The online education course is also to remain.

But one proposed change would apply to applicants with an older sibling who had previously applied to a Jewish school.

An exception was made for entry next year where siblings would not be required to gain entry qualifying points if an older brother or sister already had them.

But this exemption would be removed for 2022, according to the Chief Rabbi’s proposals.

For secondary schools; it is the child’s participation in synagogue or education that counts, whereas for primaries either the child or members of their immediate family.

The OCR is also suggesting extending the time frame in which entry points can be secured.