A new programme offering would-be teachers the chance to be paid to train has been announced by the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS).

Run by LSJS in partnership with PaJeS and the Jewish Secondary School Consortium (Hasmonean, Immanuel, JFS, King Solomon and Yavneh), the programme will enable those who cannot afford training to become fully qualified Ivrit or Jewish Studies teachers.

This School Direct scheme, which will be funded by the government, is just one in a series of developments recently announced by LSJS in a move to cement its status as a universal centre for learning.

The school is currently overseeing the construction of a newly refurbished library - a £65,000 project that will house the largest collection of Jewish books in the UK.

Named the Marc Weinberg Community Library, it will have four sections open to the public six days a week: book browsing, programming and events, a food and social area, and a children's discovery zone, which will welcome young pupils into an "immersive learning environment" where they will interact with actors.

According to LSJS's dean, Jason Marantz, the idea is to open the school's doors to more people of all ages and backgrounds.

"We are offering education across the board," he said. "Our aim is to be a central hub for the community."

Plans are also advancing to expand courses run at the school and to encourage more people to sign up for its Qualified Teacher Status, School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) and Early Years Initial Teacher Training programmes, as well as its BA and MA courses.

"We pride ourselves on doing things properly," said Mr Marantz. "There are people in the education system who need to get qualified. We want them to see there is a whole world out there."