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Akiva School

Canada, Westmount

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 420
Type Co-educational
Opened 1981
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Taught languages Hebrew
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Akiva School is a two-form entry state primary in Finchley, London (80 East End Road, N3 2SY) for pupils 4 to 11. It teaches a British Curriculum, following the National Curriculum with year-group content across Art & Design, Computing, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, Hebrew, History, Jewish Studies, Maths, Music, PE, Phonics, PSHE, RE, Reading, Science and Writing. Akiva curriculum is authentic and challenging, integrating Jewish identity with Modern Britain and emphasising learners who are respectful, kind, resilient and principled Jewish citizens active in the wider community with a love of Israel and Progressive Judaism. Regular assessment supports progression and parental communication. The school opened its building in 2008 and educates about 420 pupils. Facilities include a bilingual library, the Koifman Community Building Resource Center, and the Innovation Lab. Extra-curriculars include Netball, Show Choir, Israeli Dance, French Club and Chess. Ofsted Good in 2023; Pikuach outstanding in 2018; Thinking School status since 2013 (re-accredited 2016).

80 East End Road, Finchley, London, N3 2SY

The Essentials

Akiva School has 420 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
80 East End Road, Finchley, London, N3 2SY, United Kingdom. The school is associated with the Sternberg Centre for Judaism in Finchley.

Stages
Reception to Year 6; two-form entry

Type
Two-form entry voluntary-aided state primary school

Additional learning support
Special Educational Needs (SEN) support; SENCO Michaela Bishop; SEND Information Report and SEND Policy available

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

Religious affiliation
Progressive Judaism (Reform/Liberal)
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Akiva has a school uniform. Logo items are supplied by Uniform4Kids in Temple Fortune; the uniform includes navy or sky-blue polo shirts, navy jumpers/cardigans/fleeces, and navy or grey skirts or trousers, with white, navy or grey socks and black or navy school shoes (trainers not allowed except on PE days). PE kit includes a sky-blue T-shirt, navy shorts, navy jogging bottoms, a navy jumper, and a navy skort. A uniform guide and price list are available from Uniform4Kids.

Food Options
Healthy eating is promoted at Akiva; the school has London Healthy Schools Bronze Award and provides advice on healthy eating.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a two-form entry Voluntary-Aided state primary school from Reception to Year 6, located in the Sternberg Centre for Judaism in Finchley. It is governed by a Governing Body and benefits from active involvement by parents.
Fees
Application fees

- There is no separate application fee charged by the school for admission; applications for Reception are made through the home local authority (London Borough of Barnet) and a supplementary application form for the school must be completed where required.

Tuition fees by school year

- Akiva School is a state-maintained primary school and does not charge tuition for education provided in normal school hours or for activities that form part of the National Curriculum. Parents are not required to pay annual or termly tuition for standard school provision.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Voluntary donations: The school operates a voluntary donation scheme with a suggested monthly or termly payment schedule. For 2025/26 the suggested standard donation level shown is £157.01 per month (equivalent shown as approximately £1,884.12 per year) with a higher option of £170.67 per month (approximately £2,048.04 per year); donors may pay by monthly direct debit, termly bank transfer or other methods. Parents returning donation forms are asked to do so by the dates indicated in the school communications.

- Optional charges and invoices: Charges for certain optional or non-curricular items (for example individual or group music/LAMDA tuition provided by external suppliers, after-school clubs run by outside providers, private therapist reports/meetings, and board and lodging for residential visits) are billed separately. Invoices for specified services are issued and payment terms (where stated) apply — for example, the school notes invoices will be sent for private therapy reports with a payment window referenced in school policy.

- Online/one-off payments for lunches, book bags, outings and similar optional items are processed through the school's online payment system.

Boarding fees

- The school has no boarding provision; there are no boarding fees. The school is a primary day school.

Other costs or fees (uniform, lunches, trips, extracurriculars, materials, etc.)

- Voluntary donations: Suggested donation levels support added extras (staffing ratios, Hebrew/Jewish studies provision, IT, resources, interventions, specialist staff). Parents are invited to make voluntary contributions to support these items. Payment options include monthly direct debit and termly bank transfer.

- School meals: Universal Free School Meals are provided for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 under government provision, but the school requests voluntary contributions towards the cost of meals where the grant does not cover the full cost.

- Educational visits and trips: Curriculum-enriching visits and experiences are supported by voluntary contributions; the school may cancel an activity if insufficient voluntary contributions are received. Residential visits have a charge to cover board and lodging (with exemptions applied in line with government guidance for eligible families).

- Music and LAMDA tuition: Individual and group tuition that falls outside the National Curriculum is charged; these lessons are provided by external providers (for example the local music service) and are billed to parents.

- After-school and lunchtime clubs: Clubs run by external providers incur charges to cover provider costs.

- Private therapist reports/meetings: The school makes a charge for private therapist reports or meetings requested by parents; invoices are issued for these services and payment is required.

- Uniform and branded items: Branded uniform items and accessories for pupils (sweatshirts, polo shirts, bookbags, PE kit, etc.) are available for purchase from the identified school supplier; individual item prices are published by that supplier (examples include Akiva fleece, sweatshirts, polo shirts, bookbag, PE kit and footwear at the supplier's listed prices).

Refund information

- Voluntary contributions are just that — voluntary — and the school treats children equally regardless of whether parents contribute. For curriculum activities funded by voluntary contributions, the school reserves the right to cancel an activity if insufficient contributions are received. Charges for board and lodging on residential visits follow government guidance (including exemptions for families in receipt of qualifying benefits). Charges for external services (music tuition, clubs, private reports) are handled in accordance with the terms stated for each service or provider and by the school's charging arrangements.

Fee payment options

- Voluntary donations: Monthly direct debit, termly bank transfer, online payment, bank or charity cheque are accepted methods as specified for the donation scheme. Gift Aid declarations are used for eligible UK taxpayers.

- Optional items and ad hoc charges (lunches, outings, bookbags, trip payments): Processed via the school's online payments platform (SchoolPing) or by the payment methods the school specifies for particular activities.

- Uniform and supplier purchases: Branded uniform items are purchased from the designated supplier's retail/online outlet, which accepts standard retail payment methods (online card payments and available retail payment options noted by the supplier). Specific item prices are set by the supplier.
Academics

Akiva School teaches British Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.

Curriculum
The Akiva curriculum is authentic and challenging, providing memorable opportunities for learners. It aims to form pupils who embody values of respect, kindness, resilience, and integrity and who are knowledgeable Jewish citizens active in the wider community with a love of Israel and Progressive Judaism. The curriculum integrates Jewish identity with Modern Britain and emphasizes learning beyond the National Curriculum through broad, first‑hand experiences and the development of interpersonal and critical thinking skills. It follows the National Curriculum, with content organized by year group and subject across Art & Design, Computing, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, Hebrew, History, Jewish Studies, Maths, Music, P.E., Phonics, PSHE, R.E., Reading, Science and Writing. Assessment is central to the curriculum, helping learners recognize progress, reflect on their learning, and guide next steps for continuous improvement, and it supports communication with parents and accountability. The content can be accessed via year group overviews or detailed subject progression maps to ensure a coherent primary curriculum.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Akiva School teaches a values-led curriculum that emphasises respect, kindness, resilience and integrity. The curriculum aims to develop independent learners who are knowledgeable Jewish citizens and active participants in the wider community with a love of Israel and Progressive Judaism. It fosters interpersonal skills and resilience, helping students to make decisions, reflect on their learning, and take responsibility for their choices. Children leave Akiva with a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community and the confidence to engage with the world. Assessment is at the heart of learning, enabling teachers to tailor teaching to individual needs and to support ongoing progress.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Michaela Bishop is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Akiva provides SEND information via the Akiva SEND Information Report and Akiva SEND Policy. Queries about SEN can be emailed to admin@akivaschool.org with SEN in the title; responses are provided within 72 hours.

Safeguarding
The welfare and safety of children is the overriding consideration of the school at all times. The Safeguarding Team at Akiva Primary School includes the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, the SENCO, and the Safeguarding Governor. All staff receive initial child protection training and regular updating, and Safer Recruitment procedures are followed with enhanced DBS checks. The school maintains a single central record of data required by Ofsted and has a range of safeguarding policies to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Online safety is addressed with guidance on CEOP, Safe Search and other resources for parents and pupils.
Parent Experience

History
Akiva opened in 1981 as a one-form independent (fee-paying) Jewish primary school in a three-storey former convent building on the Manor House site in Finchley, North West London, as part of the Sternberg Centre for Judaism. It was the first Jewish primary school in the country established by the Progressive Jewish community, serving Reform and Liberal communities and the New North London synagogue. In 2006 it was designated as a two-form entry school in preparation for the move to the state sector in the London Borough of Barnet, and a new building on the Manor House site was constructed; the school moved there at the beginning of January 2008. The school today has 420 pupils with two forms in each year, and in September 2019 Claire Silver was appointed Headteacher. Akiva became Barnet's first accredited Thinking School in July 2013 (re-accredited in 2016); Ofsted in July 2023 confirmed the school as good, and the Pikuach inspection in 2018 found it outstanding.

Community
The school is the only Progressive Jewish primary school in the UK. It is an inclusive community, teaching children respect, kindness, resilience and integrity. The aim is for pupils to leave Akiva as independent learners who are knowledgeable Jewish citizens and active participants in the wider world. The community is friendly, caring, and supportive and is described by pupils as a one big happy family.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Akiva PTA comprises a group of parents and teachers who form the PTA Committee. The PTA has three principal aims: to allow parents to be an integral part of school life; to foster a sense of community between staff, pupils and parents; to organise volunteers to support the school and to raise funds; to support those within and outside of our community. Funds raised by the PTA have funded the new Multi-Use Area and resurfacing of the KS2 playground, ICT equipment, Mathletics and Espresso online education systems, choir uniforms, and a Sefer Torah. The PTA encourages parent involvement through volunteering and regular meetings and supports events to be inclusive and accessible to all families, including those with financial constraints. The Akiva Birthday Books Scheme is championed by the PTA.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a two-form entry building on the Manor House site in Finchley. The school currently educates 420 pupils. The school moved into the January 2008 new building. The Akiva School library provides resources in English and French, with the Koifman Community Building Resource Center housed within the library for team building, extracurricular activities and social programming. Adjacent to the library is the Innovation Lab, where students collaborate and engage in hands-on learning.

Sports Facilities
An indoor court is available for Netball and other activities. Netball is offered as a sport club for pupils. Physical education is provided through a dedicated P.E. curriculum that promotes health, teamwork and resilience. Various sport and physical activity clubs are available as part of the extra-curricular program.

Academic Facilities
The Akiva School library houses a vast collection of picture books, chapter books and non-fiction in both English and French. All classes from Grades 1-6 have two library periods per week, one in English and one in French, while Kindergarten has one weekly session in both languages. The Koifman Community Building Resource Center is housed within the library and serves as a hub for team building, extracurricular activities and social programming. Adjacent to the library is the Innovation Lab, where students collaborate and engage in hands-on learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra-curricular activities are broad, including sport, dance, music, drama, art and chess. Music opportunities include three choirs and ensembles such as the Kabbalat Shabbat Band, Pop Bands, Woodwind & Brass Ensembles, Strings Ensembles and the African Drumming Club. Lunch-time and after-school clubs run and include Art, Capoeira, Chess, Cooking, Creative Writing, Drama, Drumming, Film Club, French Club, Israeli Dance, Netball and more. Performing arts events and community concerts form part of the enrichment.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Chess is offered as a lunchtime or after-school club. Creative Writing and Film Club are available as after-school options. The clubs promote thinking skills, literacy, and critical engagement with ideas.

Arts & Creative
Art, Craft & Design is offered as a lunchtime/after-school club. Drama and Film Club are available as after-school activities. The Performing Arts program includes Show Choir.

Cultural & Language
French Club and Israeli Dance are offered as lunchtime or after-school activities. The clubs support language learning and cultural engagement.

Social & Hobbies
Capoeira, Cooking, and My Superpower Club are offered as after-school clubs. Netball and P2P Soccer School provide team sports options at lunchtime or after-school. The school also offers Rising Stars and Show Choir as performance-based clubs.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lunchtime and after-school sports clubs include Netball and Gymnastics. Capoeira and Israeli Dance promote movement and fitness. Holiday clubs provide additional activity opportunities during school breaks.
Languages

Language Provision
Hebrew is taught from Reception as a modern foreign language. The school uses two schemes, Chalav u'Dvash and Ivrit Be'Click, both focusing on speaking and listening; lessons are conducted in Hebrew using games, role play, songs and interactive whiteboard resources. The use of Hebrew words and phrases is evident throughout the school and Hebrew language learning is reinforced through Hebrew songs, Israeli dance, daily prayer and learning Torah through Hebrew text.

Immersion Programs
Shtilim Breakfast Club offers Ivrit immersion four mornings a week for children in Y1 to Y6; lessons are conducted completely in Hebrew. The program aims to teach Ivrit as a modern foreign language and as a tool for engaging with Jewish tradition and Israeli society.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions criteria: Priority is given to families with an on-going commitment to Progressive Judaism, for whom Akiva is the only Jewish school that specifically caters for their needs. The school has connections with the Reform and Liberal movements and with New North London Synagogue. Local qualifying synagogues are listed in the admissions information. 2. Reception admissions 2026/27: Entry in September 2026 is for children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022. Prospective parents must apply to the London Borough of Barnet online via eAdmissions and submit a Supplementary Application Form. A Proforma of Possible Shabbat Visits is available but not required to submit. Appeals information is provided. 3. Reception admissions 2027/28: Entry in September 2027 is for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023. The same application route applies through Barnet eAdmissions with the Supplementary Application Form (2027-2028) and an optional Proforma of Possible Shabbat Visits. 4. In-Year Applications for 2025/2026: If seeking a place in the current academic year, refer to the School Admissions Criteria 2025-2026 and the Supplementary Application Form 2025-2026. Applications from Israel are guided by IMPJ communities. Appeals process is available. 5. Contacts: For queries, the office can be contacted at admin@akivaschool.org.
School Events
The school has not added events
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