A parent of a child who was due to enter the sixth form at King Solomon High School in September has told the JC that her daughter is “devastated” at the school’s decision to close its Year 12.
The parent, who asked not to be named, said: “I am deeply saddened by the upcoming closure of Year 12 at KS, and my daughter was devasted when she heard the news. It leaves the current Year 11 cohort without the opportunity of a Jewish education locally.”
The Ilford-based school recently announced that it would not be offering A-level courses to new sixth-formers next academic year due to the low number of applicants.
Year 13 students due to take A-level and other exams next summer will continue to receive lessons at the Orthodox school.
The parent said: “I understand the reasons why the decision was made and fully appreciate that the school was ultimately forced into this position. Unfortunately, it has come at a time where there is rising antisemitism and, therefore, probably increasing applications to other Jewish schools, leaving pupils in Essex and East London at a disadvantage.”
Their pupil, who had originally applied for the school’s sixth form, told the JC that it would be “challenging” going to a non-Jewish school.
“Attending a non-Jewish school in the current climate was not something I intended to experience. Leaving a Jewish school in a small Essex community will prove challenging but will be a difficulty I have to overcome as a result of the sudden closing.”
Reflecting on the past five years at the school, they said: “As a student at KS for five years, I’ve seen and experienced opportunities that will aid me through my adult years. However, I have also seen discrepancies and a lack of drive to improve things.”
JFS has said that it had a "handful of applications and acceptances from King Solomon". JCoSS has not released a statement on the situation, while Immanuel College, which is independent, has come forward and offered King Solomon students a bursary.
In a recently published Ofsted report, inspectors said the King Solomon sixth form “requires improvement” as some students were not learning as well as they should be.
A spokesperson for King Solomon said: “Following our previous announcement that King Solomon High school is not providing A Levels for the forthcoming Year 12 students, we can confirm that the small number of students impacted have now been provided the opportunity to continue their learning elsewhere, following their results later in August.”
The school is known for his diversity and acceptance of children from non-Jewish faith. Jewish students make up approximately 21 per cent of the cohort. Approximately 20 per cent of students are Muslim, and 34 per cent are Christian. The other 25 per cent include Hindu and Sikh students and those of other religions or no religion, according to the 2023 Pikuach inspection report.
Former headteacher Hannele Reece left the school last year after working there for 20 years, including four years at the helm.
Michele Phillips stepped into the leading role, and in March, teachers went on strike over a dispute about an improvement scheme she introduced.
The strikes were called off, with both the NEU and the school saying they were “committed to positive industrial relations going forward” and wanted to “allow time for calm and for changes to bed in”.
