Introduction
Jewish Studies are led by Eloise Gluckman who works with the class teachers to provide children with opportunities to learn about their heritage and Jewish practice in engaging and exciting ways. Jewish Studies are taught in a weekly lesson following themes such as Jewish Ethics, History of the Jews in England and the Holocaust (Y6). Jewish Studies are also integrated creatively across the curriculum.
Miss Gluckman and Rabbi Marcia Plumb teach weekly Shiur Torah, starting with Torah stories in Reception and increasingly engaging the children in text study. We also enjoy the input of many other rabbis from different progressive communities who come and work with the school for specific aspects of the Jewish Studies curriculum and also on festivals. We further benefit in this area from the support of a wide range of providers across the Jewish community such as the Leo Baeck College's Department for Jewish Education, the Jewish Educators' Network, and the Jewish Schools' Inspection Service, Pikuach.
Relationship with Israel
Akiva is proud of its Zionist ethos. Knowledge and love of Israel permeate the formal and informal curriculum. Across the school the children enjoy weekly lessons in Hebrew songs and Israeli dance. The school community is organised in a house system with the Houses named after kibbutzim. There is a strong Israel curriculum, culminating in a 10-day trip to Israel in Year 6. Akiva is a flagship school for the teaching of Hebrew as a modern foreign language, with all children learning Modern Hebrew from Reception. Israel’s Independence Day is a highlight of the year, organised primarily by the Israeli community within the school.
Community Cohesion
The school is proud to be part of the local, national and international community. We value our relationships with other communities and schools. and we foster an awareness of disadvantage among groups of whatever age, faith or nationality. Akiva actively supports three charities each year: local, national, and International, as well as responding to emergencies. For example, in Spring 2010 the school council spearheaded a school-wide initiative to raise money for Haiti. Outreach activities have included singing in local old age homes, making and donating food to soup kitchens and performing at charitable functions such as the UJIA Yom Ha’atzmaut Business Breakfast.
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