Akiva School

[EduCativ]

The school has a strong ethos characterized by tolerance and responsibility. Pupils’ behavior is thoughtful and kind. Pupils show courtesy and consideration to each other. During lessons, pupils concentrate well and listen carefully. They work hard and help each other. Around the school, they behave safely and are very polite and friendly. Children said that they feel safe at school and that ‘it is like a family.

Akiva is a Progressive Jewish primary school. It is an inclusive and egalitarian learning community, teaching then children to be happy, confident, and knowledgeable citizens, with a love of Israel and all aspects of their Judaism. Akiva children will understand and respect themselves, others, and the world.

Akiva opened in 1981 as a one-form independent (fee-paying) school in a three-story former convent school building on the Manor House site in Finchley, North West London, which was part of the Sternberg Centre for Judaism. The Sternberg Centre for Judaism is the largest Jewish communal site in Western Europe and houses several organizations, including the Leo Baeck College (which trains Progressive rabbis and teachers), the New North London (Masorti) Synagogue, and the headquarters of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

The school was the first Jewish primary school in the country to be established by the Progressive Jewish community, providing particularly for members of Reform and Liberal communities and the New North London synagogue. In 2006 it was designated as a two-form entry school in preparation for the move to the state sector in the London Borough of Barnet. With funding from the then Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) a new building was constructed on the Manor House site into which the school finally moved at the beginning of January 2008.

Akiva is committed to serving its community. Akiva recognizes the multi-cultural, multi-faith, and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. Akiva follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. School dedicated to preparing Akiva children for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British Values to all our pupils.

Children at Akiva behave well. There are clear whole school expectations based on respect for oneself, others, and our environment, as well as classroom codes, compiled by the adults and children, which further define expectations. Children are taught, primarily through the use of restorative approaches, to take responsibility for their behavior. Bullying and racism are not tolerated at Akiva. Our anti-bullying ethos is promoted through the curriculum and national initiatives such as Anti-Bullying Week.

Akiva School aims to make sure every child reaches their full academic potential. Continual assessment is an essential part of the process. In each lesson understanding and progress can be gauged through a range of tools for teacher, peer, and self-assessment. Every term the progress of each child is formally reviewed by the class teacher, together with senior leaders, to ensure no child is falling behind and able children are fully stretched

Akiva School aims to give our children a positive and confident Progressive Jewish identity. As well as being creatively integrated across the curriculum, Jewish Studies is taught in a weekly lesson following themes from Jewish history, practice, and ethics. Weekly Shiur Torah sessions start with Torah stories in Reception, increasingly engaging the children in text study. We enjoy the input of many rabbis from different Progressive communities and organizations, who come and work with the school on specific aspects of the Jewish Studies curriculum and festivals. Jewish studies specialists work together with the class teachers to provide our children with opportunities to learn about their heritage and Progressive Jewish practice in engaging and exciting ways.

The school today has 420 pupils with 2 forms in each year. The school is high achieving and oversubscribed. Although it is a Jewish school, it also reflects the diversity, with a significant number of children coming from overseas. Akiva is a Progressive Jewish primary school. We are an inclusive and egalitarian learning community, teaching our children to be happy, confident, and knowledgeable citizens, with a love of Israel and all aspects of their Judaism. Akiva children will understand and respect themselves, others, and the world. Successful learning is an active partnership between children, their parents, and teachers. At Akiva:

• We see each child as an individual and provide a broad and dynamic Jewish and secular curriculum reflecting their needs.
• We expect the highest standards of learning and teaching.
• We provide a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
• We work together to understand and realize each child’s full potential.
• We embed Jewish Studies throughout the curriculum, enhancing a positive, confident, Jewish identity.
• We teach our children to value being active participants in the wider community.
• We prepare our children to meet the challenges of a changing world.
• We teach our children to value all members of the school community and treat each other with kindness.

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