Beis Yaakov Primary School
Beis Yaakov Primary School is a 2/3 form entry, Orthodox Jewish maintained Voluntary Aided girls primary school located in Colindale, in the London Borough of Barnet. Orthodox Jewish girls' primary school in London
| Beis Yaakov Primary School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | |
| Established | 2001 |
| Type | Voluntary aided school |
| Religious affiliation(s) | |
| Headteacher | Mrs Ellie Bialoglowski |
| Address | |
| City | |
| County | |
| Postcode | |
| Country | |
| Enrolment | 456 |
| Gender | Girls |
| Age range | – |
| Website | [byps.org.uk byps.org.uk] |
Beis Yaakov Primary School is a voluntary aided Orthodox Jewish girls' primary school located in Colindale, in the London Borough of Barnet.[1] It serves the strictly Orthodox Jewish communities of North West London and beyond, providing both religious and secular education.[1] The school has approximately 456 pupils and does not charge fees, ensuring accessibility for families in financial difficulty.[2]
The institution emphasises a curriculum informed by Jewish tradition, including sacred texts, rituals, customs, and history, alongside the full National Curriculum.[1] It fosters ethical character, spiritual growth, and preparation for life in modern Britain, while respecting diversity and promoting compassion.[1] The school operates for more than 32.5 hours per week, with adjusted Friday timings for the Sabbath.[1]
History
Beis Yaakov Primary School was established in 2001, arising from the former Pardes House and Beis Yaakov Primary School.[3] It is part of the broader Bais Yaakov movement, which originated in 1917 in Kraków, Poland, founded by Sarah Schenirer to provide religious education for Jewish girls and combat assimilation.[4] The movement spread globally, with schools in major Jewish centres, including London.[4]
In the UK, similar schools began emerging in the post-war period, with Beis Yaakov Primary School becoming a voluntary aided local authority school to serve the growing Orthodox community.[3] The school is supported by the Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation, incorporated in 2008, which aims to provide non-profit secular and religious education.[5]
Association with Bobov sect
Beis Yaakov Primary School is not directly affiliated with the Bobov, a Hasidic sect, as no explicit institutional ties exist. However, historical involvement includes former director Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater, who provided financial support to the Bobov-45 faction, a branch of the Bobov dynasty.[6][7] Other individuals, such as former director Elechonon Halpern, were prominent in Haredi Orthodox communities, serving as President of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, though without specific Bobov links. Donors like The Benzi Dunner Schools Trust are associated with supporters of Bobov, as Benzi Dunner was a major benefactor of the sect.[8] The school serves strictly Orthodox communities, with some donor organisations potentially aligned with Hasidic groups.
Associated entities
The school is associated with Beis Yaakov Creche, located at the same address, providing early years care for children.[9] It operates under the Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation (charity number 1125487, company number 06590192), which manages the non-profit educational provision.[2]
Additionally, it links to the Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation (company number 03110852), a religious organisation overseeing related activities.[10]
People involved
Trustees
The [Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation]] has the following trustees:
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| Name | Role | Appointed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Selwyn Cohen | Trustee | ||
| Sylvain Klein | Trustee | ||
| Benjamin Eliezer Perl | Trustee | Involved in organisations supporting projects in the settler colony of Ariel.[11] | |
| Mark Vorhand | Trustee |
Directors
Directors of Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation and Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation include:
| Name | Foundation | Appointed | Resigned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvain Klein | Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation | 17 June 2008 | ||
| Andrew Selwyn Cohen | Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation | 7 June 2013 | ||
| Benjamin Eliezer Perl | Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation | 12 May 2008 | ||
| Mark Vorhand | Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation | 12 May 2008 | ||
| City & Dominion Registrars Ltd | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 14 July 2000 | ||
| David Davis | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | ||
| Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | ||
| Aaron Halpern | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | ||
| David Halpern | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | ||
| Alexander Strom | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | ||
| Anne Coughlan | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | 14 July 2000 | |
| Elechonon Halpern | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | 18 February 2015 | |
| Benjamin Eliezer Perl | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | 9 June 2005 | |
| Simcha Ruben | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | 9 June 2003 | |
| William George Stern | Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation | 2 October 1995 | 8 May 2000 |
Staff
Known staff members include:
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rav Y Weitz | Menahel | |
| Mrs Ellie Bialoglowski | Headteacher | BA(Hons) MA |
| Mrs B Azoulay | Administrative support | |
| Mrs L Nevies | Administrative support |
Donors
The school receives donations through its foundation, with reported income from donations and legacies of £1.77 million for the year ending 31 March 2025.[12] Known donors include:
Organisations associated with the Bobov (Hasidic dynasty)
See also
Bais Yaakov Chabad-Lubavitch (for comparative Orthodox education) London Borough of Barnet
External links
Official website BEIS YAAKOV PRIMARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION on Charity Commission
See also
Beis Yaakov Primary School Foundation
Contact
- School address 373 Edgware Rd, London NW9 6NQ
- Web: byps.org.uk
Resources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Beis Yaakov Primary School, Home Beis Yaakov Primary School, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Charity Commission for England and Wales, BEIS YAAKOV PRIMARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION Charity Commission, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 SchoolDash, Beis Yaakov Primary School SchoolDash, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jewish Women's Archive, Bais Ya'akov Schools Jewish Women's Archive, June 23, 2021.
- ↑ Companies House, BEIS YAAKOV PRIMARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION overview Companies House, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Powerbase.info, Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater Powerbase.info, February 5, 2024.
- ↑ Orthodox Union, An Amen at the Right Moment Orthodox Union, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ The Yeshiva World, Tragic Petira Of R' Bentzion Dunner Z”L The Yeshiva World, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Ofsted, Beis Yaakov Creche Ofsted, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, PARDES HOUSE AND BEIS YAACOV PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION overview Companies House, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission for England and Wales, BEIS YAAKOV PRIMARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION full print Charity Commission, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission for England and Wales, Financial history Charity Commission, accessed February 13, 2026.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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