COLLEGE GETS TOP MARKS

THE LONDON School of Jewish Studies, the only Ofsted-accredited Jewish provider for initial teacher training, has been rated outstanding by the inspection service.

The Orthodox college, which has trained more than 200 teachers for schools across the Jewish community in the past five years, was praised for its “pursuit of excellence”.

Students thrived because of their “high quality training”, while the strong moral imperative of LSJS leaders to “develop outstanding teachers and provide outstanding education for pupils is always clear”.

Jonathan Bach, LSJS director of teacher training, said: “We are delighted by the result and by the fact that the report has recognised that our graduates are extremely well prepared to take up their teaching posts.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the LSJS president, said its work was of “immeasurable value” to the community.

“There can be no higher calling than to prepare the next generation to live a committed and fulfilled Jewish life, engaged with the modern world.”

LSJS offers four different routes to teaching qualifications, with some 6,000 pupils in Jewish schools now being taught by its graduates.

Spencer Lewis, executive headteacher of Yavneh College — which partners LSJS on the on-the-job training course for secondary school teachers — said he was proud “we have a truly outstanding teacher training provision serving the Jewish community right across the UK”.