Alma Primary
Not to be confused with Alma Primary School based in Ponders End in Enfield which is overseen by Attigo Academy Trust which is also responsible for Worcesters Primary School, Keys Meadow Primary School and Houndsfield Primary School
Alma Primary is a Jewish primary school run by the Alma Primary (trust). It was opened in September 2013. It was formerly registered on Companies House as the The New Jewish Primary School (Feb 2012 - 15 Apr 2013). The school welcomes children from across the Jewish community and other faiths and communities.
- URN: 139562, DfE number: 302/2020 UKPRN: 10041642
- Company number 07958546
Zionism
Alma Primary is a Zionist school.
In 2014 the school reported in its annual accounts that it had 'an Israeli gap year student joining us in September'.[1] It also reported that 'we foster... a commitment to the Jewish people and Israel'.[2]
It celebrates'Yom HaAtzmaut', which it describes as 'Israel's birthday'. In 2020 'for Yom HaAtzmaut we sent a big message to Israel from Alma Primary... and had a lot of fun!... We... worked together to send Israel a huge 'yom haAtzmaut sameakh' shout out from all of us... Happy 72nd Birthday Israel'[3]
The school also has two Shinshinim that is 18 year old Israeli Jews who take a gap year before they join the IDF for compulsory military service. At Alma Primary in 2019 these were Yael and Mishel. One was born in Haifa and the other in Tel Aviv. They noted in the school newsletter that on joining the IDF Yael wanted to go into the 'air force' and Mishel into 'intelligence'.[4]
The 2015 Pikuah inspection found that, "Ivrit lessons are supported by a Hebrew language assistant from Israel and this is an added benefit to promote spoken modern Hebrew from a native." They added that, "there is good provision for the children to learn about the Jewish calendar and the Jewish way of life. The successful outcomes of these aspects are evident in the children’s personal, spiritual and social development and in their deep connections with Israel and its people."[5]
The 2023 insepction found that, "For pupils at Alma, Jewish learning is not just about being able to answer factual questions, it is also about being able to engage with ideas and messages. This creates a firm foundation of Jewish knowledge and identity. Pupils were keen to share their thoughts and feelings on the founding fathers of Zionism. They expressed empathy with the challenges these people faced in establishing the State of Israel. Through this the pupils developed a closer connection to the subject studied." [6]
In the parents handbook, they have outlined how they teach pupils about Israel: "We teach about Israel in an open and honest manner, celebrating the significant achievements of Israeli culture and science, but also recognising the difficulties and complexities of contemporary Israeli society. Israel is part of the daily experience for Alma students. Through songs, prayers, discussion of current events, maps, pictures, and books, we foster our pupils’ love and appreciation of Israel and their knowledge of the country. As our children move into Key Stage 2, we also begin to explore the history of the modern Jewish state, Israeli culture, literature and science. We talk about the country’s importance for many religions and the ways in which we can be a part of Israel’s ongoing development."[7]
They created a Israel 75 Art Project project whereby Year 3 looked at a sculpture from the Museum of Modern Art in Tel Aviv. "They then created their own piece of art creating a giant Yad, a map of Israel, and then traced their own hands pointing. Our art work was chosen to be exhibited. The exhibit is open to the public at JW3 for the next three weeks."[8]
The Etgar programme is a Jewish education programme that 'inspires a love of learning among children in Jewish primary schools through an exciting, team-based interschool quiz for pupils in year 5. In 2020, Alma Primary participated in the challenge for the first time. A year 5 child's cake which had an Israeli flag and two blue hearts painted on it made it onto the Etgar video.[9]
In 2021 the school reported that .[10]
Directors
| Name | Correspondence address | Role | Position | Date of birth | Appointed on | Resigned on | Nationality | Country of residence | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Richard Burns | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Secretary | June 1971 | 1 March 2024 | Present | United Kingdom | England | Writer And Software Developer |
| Marc Joel Shoffren | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Secretary | ? | 3 September 2013 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Headteacher |
| Yvonne Danielle Baronn | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | July 1977 | 2 November 2022 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Education Consultant |
| Harrison Daniel Bernard Engler | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | July 1998 | 6 May 2024 | Present | British | England | Barrister |
| Dr Arie Eskenazi Gozluklu | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | February 1980 | 6 May 2024 | Present | Turkish and Spanish | United Kingdom | Associate Professor Of Finance |
| Ilan Jacobs | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | July 1944 | 16 December 2015 | Present | British | England | Director |
| Ophir Lahav | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | August 1979 | 8 December 2023 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Property Management |
| Jonathan Levyv | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | December 1983 | 6 November 2020 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Commercial Director |
| Louise Lewis | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | March 1976 | 30 August 2021 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Student |
| Louise Lewis | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | March 1976 | 30 August 2021 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Student |
| Francesca Kate Mindell | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | December 1990 | 2 November 2022 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Benjamin Paul Richardson | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | December 1985 | 6 May 2024 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Deputy Head Teacher |
| Ella Rose (Ella Rachel Rose) | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | June 1993 | 22 February 2023 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Charity Sector Public Affairs Director |
| Vicky Shafran | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | June 1968 | 29 August 2021 | Present | British | United Kingdom | Chartered Accountant |
| Earle Derek Abrahahamson | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | October 1970 | 22 February 2012 | 20 May 2013 | British | United Kingdom | Education Consultant And Clinical Therapist |
| Katie Abrams | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | October 1988 | 10 July 2017 | 22 February 2024 | British | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Savid Jonathan Berkley | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | July 1945 | 22 February 2012 | 20 May 2013 | British | United Kingdom | Retired |
| Noa Elizabeth Bladon | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | March 1977 | 20 May 2013 | 10 July 2017 | British | United Kingdom | Accountant |
| Martin Alfred Blain | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | November 1965 | 2 April 2014 | 12 December 2016 | British | United Kingdom | Headteacher |
| Deborah Eve Brooks | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | September 1978 | 22 February 2012 | 23 July 2021 | British | United Kingdom | Civil Servant |
| Richard Alan Cornelius | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | July 1955 | 16 December 2015 | 2 June 2019 | British | United Kingdom | Councillor |
| Emma Joane Davies | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LPE | Active | Director | August 1976 | 31 October 2018 | 21 December 2022 | British | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Stuart Phillip Diamond | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | October 1979 | 23 February 2022 | 24 July 2023 | South African | United Kingdom | Fundraising Appeals Manager |
| Treina Fabre | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | April 1979 | 20 May 2013 | 22 May 2014 | USA | United Kingdom | Management Consultant |
| Alastair Falk | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | May 1954 | 10 July 2017 | 7 June 2019 | British | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| David Samuel Farbey | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | July 1955 | 23 August 2021 | 22 June 2022 | Unit | United Kingdom | Retired |
| Sophie Gabrielle Fenton | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | March 1982 | 7 February 2018 | 1 July 2020 | England | United Kingdom | Educational Adviser |
| Adam Joseph Goldin | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | May 1981 | 9 September 2012 | 12 December 2016 | England | United Kingdom | Chartered Surveyor |
| Emma Goldstone | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | October 1979 | 10 July 2017 | 8 April 2019 | England | United Kingdom | Educational Psychologist |
| Natalie Fiona Grazin | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | July 1973 | 21 February 2012 | 28 July 2021 | England | United Kingdom | Management Consultant |
| David Benjamin Grunwald | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | September 1979 | 14 December 2015 | 16 December 2023 | England | United Kingdom | Manager |
| Esther Rachel Grunwald | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | September 1979 | 22 February 2012 | 20 May 2013 | England | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Niki Jackson | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | May 1969 | 16 December 2015 | 10 July 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Education Director |
| Michelle Ruth Jacobs | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | February 1977 | 9 September 2012 | 110 July 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Civil Servant |
| Hiten Jethwa | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | February 1988 | 24 July 2015 | 10 July 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Civil Servant |
| Edward James Lewin | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | September 1979 | 16 December 2015 | 16 December 2023 | England | United Kingdom | Manager |
| Jean Linsky | Alma Primary, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, England, N20 0LP | Active | Director | June 1951 | 10 July 2017 | 23 July 2021 | England | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Matthew Plen | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | July 1971 | 21 February 2012 | 24 July 2015 | British Israeli | United Kingdom | Charity Manager |
| Samantha Zoe Rosehill | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | December 1988 | 12 December 2016 | 9 December 2020 | England | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Laura Sherling | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | January 1977 | 7 November 2013 | 20 December 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| David John Steadman | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | August 1972 | 22 February 2012 | 23 July 2021 | England | United Kingdom | Commercial Director |
| Tabitha Sumberg | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | June 1975 | 16 December 2015 | 9 July 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Fundraiser |
| Dr Andrew David Sutcliffe | 9 Lewis Gardens, London, Uk, N2 9AN | Active | Director | February 1975 | 20 May 2013 | 23 July 2021 | England | United Kingdom | Educational Psychologist |
| Abigail Hannah Symons | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | July 1979 | 22 February 2012 | 20 May 2013 | England | United Kingdom | Teacher |
| Russell Harvey Symons | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | July 1979 | 22 February 2012 | 20 May 2013 | England | United Kingdom | Probation Officer |
| Judith Rachel Williams | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | December 1970 | 10 July 2017 | 20 November 2017 | England | United Kingdom | Chief Executive |
| Rina Dvora Wolfson | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | October 1972 | 7 February 2018 | 4 June 2020 | England | United Kingdom | Writer |
| Adam David Russell Zellick | 37 Moss Hall Grove, London, England, N12 8PE | Active | Director | June 1977 | 6 November 2020 | 3 October 2023 | England | United Kingdom | Lawyer |
Resources
- URN: 139562
- Address: Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, London, N20 0LP
- Ofsted: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/139562
- Dept for Education: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/139562
Notes
- ↑ Alma Primary Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2014. p. 7.
- ↑ Alma Primary Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2014. p. 5.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230206110221/https://www.almaprimary.org/blog/?pid=22&nid=25&storyid=1243
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230206104805/https://www.almaprimary.org/attachments/download.asp?file=176&type=pdf
- ↑ https://archive.is/iystI
- ↑ https://archive.is/X8q7P/
- ↑ https://archive.is/4opbZ
- ↑ https://archive.is/IVIPp#selection-1417.0-1417.304
- ↑ https://archive.is/bG2gQ#selection-1421.223-1421.237
- ↑ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2021. p. ?.