About JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School)
JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School) is a co-educational, state-funded Jewish secondary school for pupils aged 11–18 in New Barnet, north London. Opened in 2010, it is the UK’s first cross-communal (pluralist) Jewish school, welcoming the whole Jewish community regardless of affiliation or observance, and includes the Pears Special Resource Provision for pupils with additional needs.
It is state-funded, so there are no fees and no academic entrance exam — admission is non-selective, with priority to Jewish applicants recognised by any mainstream movement and then standard oversubscription criteria such as siblings and distance.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for JCoSS
JCoSS Admissions Criteria
JCoSS is, in its own words, a non-selective state school with no entry examination. Year 7 places are coordinated through your home Local Authority, with priority given to Jewish applicants recognised by any mainstream UK movement; you complete the school’s supplementary form so it can apply its criteria.
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or arranged tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of any selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Apply through your Local Authority: List the school on your child’s secondary Common Application Form (CAF) through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October in Year 6. You do not register or pay a fee directly to the school.
- ✓Step 3 — Complete the supplementary form: Complete the school’s supplementary form so the governors can apply the admissions criteria, including priority for Jewish applicants recognised by any mainstream movement.
- ✓Step 4 — Offers: Your Local Authority sends offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated against the published oversubscription criteria below.
- ✓Step 5 — Accept your place: Accept the offer through your Local Authority by the date given. There is no acceptance deposit — it is a state-funded school.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at JCoSS
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school (including places in the Pears Special Resource Provision).
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children.
- Children with a sibling at the school on entry.
- Children of permanent members of staff.
- All other children, with distance and a random tie-break administered by Barnet Council. Priority overall is given to Jewish applicants recognised by any mainstream UK movement.
Admissions & Catchment for JCoSS
JCoSS is a non-selective state school with, in its own words, no entry examination — places are allocated on the published criteria rather than where a family lives, with distance used where a category is oversubscribed.
Confirm the current criteria, supplementary form and deadlines in the school’s admissions policy and your Local Authority’s booklet before applying.
Academic Performance at JCoSS (GCSE & A-Level Results)
JCoSS is a high-achieving, non-selective school: independent guides rate its attainment at 16 and 18 as excellent, with strong destinations.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum, from a non-selective intake.
- A-Level: strong results in a co-educational Sixth Form.
- Progression: the great majority of leavers progress to university, including Russell Group institutions.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Opened in 2010, JCoSS is a co-educational state Jewish secondary school (ages 11–18) in New Barnet, and the UK’s only cross-communal (pluralist) Jewish school — its motto, from the Talmud, translates as ‘these and these are the words of the Living God’. It embraces the whole Jewish community regardless of affiliation, is strongly inclusive (with the Pears Special Resource Provision for additional needs), and pairs high aspirations with warm pastoral care.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, spanning sport, music, drama, Jewish life and learning, and a broad programme of clubs, trips and enrichment. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about JCoSS
How do I apply to JCoSS for Year 7?
Apply through your home Local Authority’s coordinated admissions, naming JCoSS on the Common Application Form by 31 October, and complete the school’s supplementary form so it can apply its admissions criteria.
Is there an entrance exam at JCoSS?
No. In the school’s own words it is ‘a non-selective, state school, with no entry examination’ — places are decided by the published criteria, not a test.
Who gets priority for places at JCoSS?
Priority is given to Jewish applicants — those recognised as Jewish by any of the mainstream movements in the UK — as JCoSS is cross-communal rather than tied to one denomination.
How are places allocated if JCoSS is oversubscribed?
After children with an Education, Health and Care Plan, places follow categories including looked-after children, siblings and staff children, with distance (and a random tie-break via Barnet’s system) where a category is oversubscribed. Around 180 Year 7 places are offered.
Does JCoSS have a Sixth Form?
Yes — a co-educational Sixth Form, with attainment and destinations rated strongly; most leavers progress to university.
Are there fees at JCoSS?
No. It is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees.
Independent Practice Papers for JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School)
JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School) is non-selective and does not set an 11+ entrance exam. Many families still use 11+ practice to strengthen core English and maths skills before secondary school — our Independent 11+ format papers are a useful general resource, with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
Building 11+ Skills for JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School) (General Practice)
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
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Start at least 6–12 months before secondary transfer. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
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Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.