Akiva School

Akiva School is a Zionist Jewish school in London. It is run by The Akiva School Foundation.

'Akiva opened in 1981 as a one-form independent (fee-paying) school in a three-storey 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 a number of organisations, 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.'

General Information

URN: 135086 DfE number: 302/3520 UKPRN: 10072363

Website:https://www.akivaschool.org/

Local authority: Barnet

Address: The Sternberg Centre for Judaism, 80 E End Rd, London N3 2SY

Akiva is a mixed, voluntary aided school for 4 to 11 years old in Barnet. Akiva School is the successor of Akiva School at Levy House which closed on 31 August 2007. The headmistress of the school at the time was Sue De Botton. . In 2008, the school governors appointed Susy Stone as the new headmistress of Akiva.. The current headmisstress is Claire Silver.

The school is described as the 'only Progressive Jewish school in the UK'. Priority is given to families with an on-going commitment to Progressive Judaism and admission criteria reflects the 'two connections the school has'. The first is the 'connection with our stakeholder communities in the The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism (UK), which created the school. The second is a connection with the New North London Synagogue which is also based at the Manour House site.Local qualifying synagogues have been specified to include the following: - Alyth - Sha'arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue - Finchley Reform Synagogue

An article from 2008, 'Barnet Jewish School celebrates new building' highlighted that the school was built in 1981 and converted to a state school in September 2008. The original school was built with the aid of Sir Sigmund Sternberg, in alignment with the progressive vision of Rabbi Marmur. The following dignitaries attended the celebrations for the opening of the new school building: Rabbi Dow Marmur, former Barnet mayor Maureen Braun, former Barnet council leader and MP Mike Freer, Sir Sigmund and Lady Sternberg.

The school is registered to The Akiva School Foundation which is registered to a different address to the school: 20 Caenwood Court Hampstead Lane, London, N6 4RU, the registered address of SIMMONS SECURITIES LIMITED.

Zionist school

From a 2018 inspection report by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, posted on the school website:

The school has a strong affiliation to Israel. Akiva School is proud of its Zionist ethos. Knowledge of and a love of Israel permeate the formal and informal curriculum, usually culminating in a 10-day trip to Israel in Year 6. Israel’s Independence Day is a highlight of the year, and celebrations are organised primarily by the Hebrew Department and Israeli parents at the school.

Jewish values are exemplified through the school’s approach to tzedaka(charity). Each year pupils discuss and select three charities, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Charities sponsored include Cancer Research UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and ‘My Israel’. In addition, the school encourages pupils and their families to take part in Jewish communal initiatives, such as ‘Mitzvah Day.’

Akiva's student population reflects diversity with a significant number of students from Israel and South Africa. Their aim for pupils "is to leave Akiva embodied with the values of respect, kindness, resilience and integrity) and to be successful, independent learners who are knowledgeable Jewish citizens and active participants in the wider community with a love of Israel and all aspects of their Progressive Judaism."

Jewish Studies

The Jewish Studies curriculum at Akiva School has been designed to: " develop the children's Progressive Jewish identity and promote a love of Israel". On their website they say that "opportunities are taken wherever possible to integrate aspects of Jewish Studies with other areas of the curriculum and the links made are both strong and meaningful.  For example: the children in Year 2 compare the weather data from the UK with corresponding data from Israel." Furthermore, "in the Summer Term following Yom Ha'atzmaut, many of the topics throughout the school are focused on Israel.. About their PSHE curriculum they write, "we help children to form worthwhile and satisfying relationships based on respect for themselves and others. We endeavour to develop happy, confident and knowledgeable British citizens with a love of Israel and Judaism."

Amongst the school clubs offered at Akiva School are Israeli Dance and Shtillim Breakfast Club which is organised by a group of parents. The aim of the club is to 'teach Ivrit as a modern foreign language and as a tool for engaging with the Jewish tradition and Israeli society.'

Although not explicitly mentioned on their website, it is obvious that the school takes children on tripst o Israel. For example, the Y6 performance of Joseph was "Inspired by their familiarity with the Torah story and their recent trip to Israel they interpreted the script with humour, sensitivity and understanding."

On Mitzvah Day 2017 , Barnet Mayor Brian Salinger joined pupils at Akiva on 17th November to celebrate the holiday. The children and their parents supported seven local, national, and Israeli charities. Akiva parents Liron Rosiner Reshef and Clarisse Allshever shared their experiences with the Jewish Deaf Association and Camp Simcha. Y1 children made Chanukah cards for children supported by Aleh, while Y2 children designed tools for the deaf community. Y3 children created matching bookmarks for themselves and a child in hospital supported by Camp Simcha. Y4 children designed games for young children and helped at local nurseries. Representatives from World Jewish Relief in Ukraine and Save a Child's Heart (SACH) also participated in the celebration.. They also raised funds for Aleh and Save a Child's Heart SACH)

The school celebrated 'ISRAEL'S SPECIAL BIRTHDAY' where 'Tel Aviv temperatures enhanced a wonderful day of celebration for Israel's 70th birthday.'

In Pikuach's 2024 inspection report, they shared that "a pupil in Year 5 explained, “I like when on a special day we made special booklets on Israel and famous people. We looked at the people and we were inspired by people. We had lunch with our buddies. Before we go to buddy break, we did Israeli flags. Whenever there is a festival, we do things with our buddies and help them learn. It is really cute and fun”.In a later section, they reported that "It was a pleasure to see the enjoyment on their faces with all members of staff also participating. Pupils spoke about taking part in the Primary Schools Dance Festival and how they enjoyed participating in the dancing at school on Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day)."​​​​​​​

In the first [[Akiva School Newsletter] after 7th of October 2023, they wrote, "Everyone in our community is affected in some way by the atrocities that have unfolded since last weekend and I know we are all feeling exttremely strong emotions.",  they then went on to say "Whilst we have discussed the situation in Israel with the children we have kept it to a minimum as we sense that for many of the children they see school as a safe place, a place where they don't have to hear the news and a place where they can play without worrying or feeling any guilt." They highlighted that "some classes wrote letters and drew pictures for soldiers". Many parents attended a webinar organised by CST on security.​​​​​​​

On the 20th of October 2023, they acknowledged that "the impact of the atrocities that have taken place in Israel over the last two weeks has been felt by everyone in our community. Many of our parents and staff are grieving the lives of families and friends."

In the March 2024 newsletter, they shared that "We have spent a lot of time reflecting on how we will celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut this year. We want this to be on an appropriate level for our children and for them to celebrate the value of the Jewish homeland and not connect to current politics. With this in mind, we have made the decision to continue with the celebrations of Yom Ha’atzmaut in the way the children are expecting. For those who are new to the school this involves Israeli dancing before school 8.30-8.50am in the amphitheatre, a special lunch, assemblies, learning about Israel, dressing in blue and white and Israeli dancing throughout the day. We always welcome all parents to join us for the dancing at 8.30-8.50am however do not feel pressured to do so."

Donors

The Akiva School Foundation raises funds by promoting charitable activities amongst the parents of pupiles attending the Akiva Primary School and encourages them to donate to support the activities of the school. According to the accounts for a small company submitted by The Akiva School Foundation submitted on the 11 Jan 2024, the following donors had contributed to the school:

- Cecil Rosen Foundation provided a donation of £100,000 for the refurbishment of computer rooms and staffing facilities

People

School Governors

Name	Appointed by	From	To
Claire Silver	Appointed by GB/board	2 September 2022	1 September 2025
Daniel Heymann	Elected by parents	12 November 2021	11 November 2024
Gail Roston	Appointed by GB/board	22 September 2022	21 September 2025
Hannah Kingston	Appointed by foundation/Trust	22 September 2022	21 September 2025
Jo Brown	Elected by parents	12 November 2021	11 November 2024
Jon Papier	Appointed by foundation/Trust	19 September 2022	18 September 2025
Marina Simmons	Appointed by foundation/Trust	19 September 2022	18 September 2025
Stuart Warner	Appointed by foundation/Trust	19 September 2022	18 September 2025
Tamara Gordon	Elected by school staff	9 September 2022	8 September 2025

===Parent Governors===< ref name=governors”>https://archive.is/ltEsN/</ref>

Name	From	To
Liron Rosiner Reshef	20/11/2022	19/11/2025
Jo Brown	12/11/2021	11/11/2024
Daniel Heymann	12/11/2021	11/11/2024

Former pupils

• Jake Wallis-Simons

Funding

Lewis Family Charitable Trust | Jack Goldhill Charitable Trust

Contact

• Website akivaschool.org