Cheder - Hebrew Classes (ages 5-11)

Bat Mitzvah Programme (joining age 11+)

Barmitzvah Programme (joining age 11+)

GCSE - Jewish Studies (joining age 12+, 13+)

Jewish Education at HGSS

Jewish Education is at the heart of our community's services. HGSS provides for all those children not attending Jewish primary or secondary day schools, but are nevertheless keen on nurturing their Jewish awareness, spirituality, knowledge and skills.

Our education attempts to give the children not only the opportunity to learn about their religion but also to draw personal lessons and take what they had learnt into their daily life and challenges. The way we see it, our job as educators is to

• Nurture the children's Jewish awareness and strengthen a positive sense of belonging to their community.
• Give them tools to value and participate in the social and religious activities of their community
• Develop the child's potential as a person and productive members of our society.

Our perception of Jewish Education can be seen in the image of "Roots" and Wings. "Roots" is accepting the child "as they are" allowing them to feel rooted and safe. We will see each child as resourceful and encourage the child to contribute from his or her own experience to the learning of others including that of the teacher. "Wings" is then building on "Roots" and challenges the child to learn and experience new concepts, skills, and knowledge and gain ever-deeper understanding of the multitude of Jewish values and concepts.

We can proudly say that all our teachers and educators are passionately devoted to create a safe, joyful, and stimulating environment in which children can continuously learn and grow. To ensure success in all the above our staff is strongly committed to continually develop and improve the curriculum and themselves as professionals.

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Cheder - Hebrew Classes

Norrice Lea's cheder currently has 230 pupils on roll.

Enrolling: Now enrolling for the Reception Class for the coming term, which begins on 2 September 2007.

Latest 2008 term dates:
Spring term ends on Sunday, 6 April
Summer term from Sunday, 4 May to Sunday, 13 July.
Half term on 25 May.

When : Sunday morning 10:00am - 1:00pm

Venue : HGSS - Kerem School Wing

Cost : Per term, April 2008 - March 2009

More Information? Please ring Mrs. Selby, 8440 5621 to apply.

The HGSS - Cheder covers the time from reception up to year 6 (ages 5-11). During the first 3 years of Cheder there is a particular focus on the childrenÕs skills in Hebrew reading (and basic translation) as an essential life-time tool to enter the gates of Judaism. At the same time the children are meeting the various Jewish festivals, customs and traditions. The fascinating stories and images of the bible are obviously an integral part of that that first stage. As the children move up from Key Stage 1 (Reception, Year 1 and 2 = age 5-7) to Key Stage 2 (Year 3,4,5 and 6 = age 7-11) the content of learning becomes more abstract and more complex Jewish concepts are introduced.

Continuation of Jewish education after cheder is either the Bat-Chayil programme for girls or the Barmitzvah programme for boys.

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Bat Mitzvah Programme

Length: 1 year course for girls starting year 7

Registration : May (Maximum participants 15)

When : Sunday morning (3 hours)

Venue : HGSS - Rear Gallery

Cost : Per term, April 2008 - March 2009

More Information? Head of Senior Class - Howard Hirsch 020 8455 8126

The Batmitzvah programme takes off where the cheder finished at the age of 11+. This programme runs over 3 terms starting in September and finishing in June/July the year after. The course prepares the students for the AJE, Agency for Jewish Education's Bat Mitzvah Test.

The course runs concurrently with the Bar Mitzvah Programme, combining academic, experiential and social activities. The morning sessions start with a joint breakfast with the Bar Mitzvah class and continue with separate sessions covering those aspects of the aje Bat Mitzvah Syllabus, as well as more contemporary issues that form the basis of group discussions and exploration. Interspersed throughout the year are guest speakers and off site activities, both social and educational. Some of these are only for the girls on the Bat Mitzvah programme, whilst others are held jointly with the Bar Mitzvah class.

A continuation of Jewish education after the Batmitzvah programme is offered in form of a 2 Year GCSE course in Jewish studies.

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Barmitzvah programme

Length: 1 year course for boys starting year 7

Registration : May (Maximum participants 15)

When : Sunday morning (3 hours)

Venue : HGSS - Rear Gallery

Cost : Per term, April 2008 - March 2009

More Information? Head of Senior Class - Howard Hirsch 020 8455 8126

The Barmitzvah programme takes off where the cheder finished at the age of 11+. This programme runs over 3 terms starting in September and finishing in June/July the year after. The course prepares the students for the AJE, Agency for Jewish Education's Bar Mitzvah Test

The course runs concurrently with the Bat Mitzvah Programme, combining academic, experiential and social activities. The morning sessions start with a joint breakfast with the Bat Mitzvah class and continue with separate sessions covering those aspects of the aje Bar Mitzvah Syllabus, as well as more contemporary issues that form the basis of group discussions and exploration. Interspersed throughout the year are guest speakers and off site activities, both social and educational. Some of these are only for the boys on the Bar Mitzvah programme, whilst others are held jointly with the Bat Mitzvah class.

A continuation of Jewish education after the Barmitzvah programme is offered in form of a 2 Year GCSE course in Jewish studies.

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GCSE course - Jewish studies

Length: 2 years (joining age 12+,13+)

Registration : September (Maximum participants 14)

When: Sunday morning (2 hours minimum of 60 Sundays over two academic years)

Venue: HGSS - Library or Landy Gallery

Cost: Per term, April 2008 - March 2009

More Information? Head of Senior Classes - Howard Hirsch 020 8455 8126

The GCSE course joins boys and girls that have completed the Barmitzvah programme or the Bat Mitzvah programme. The course runs over two years and starts in September. The GCSE examination is taken during the summer of the second academic year. The official syllabus of the "OCR" Ð (Oxford Cambridge and RSA examination Board,) is being followed. The course intends to combine focused learning, intellectual stimulation and a Jewish mixed social environment. Social extra curricular outings and events, organised by the HGSS Youth Director for the participants of the GCSE course, will be optional additions to the Sunday morning sessions.

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