'Why we chose Jewish schooling'

Janine and Russ Lowy from Southgate, north London, felt a Jewish day school would be best for their son and daughter.

Lily, 10, goes to the local Orthodox primary, Wolfson Hillel, while son Jake, 12, graduated from there to the cross-communal JCoSS.

Mrs Lowy (pictured with her children, above) said: "We wanted to give them a Jewish identity by learning in a soft way so that they would have an understanding of our traditions and laws, without feeling that dread of getting up on a Sunday morning."

It wasn't "just for the kids but the parents as well. People look out for each other and support each other, which I don't think you would get at a mainstream school."

Wolfson Hillel offered "a nurturing environment" she added, while Jake "wanted to go to a Jewish secondary. Pupils come to JCoSS from a bigger cross-section of the community, so being there has opened him up a bit."