Gesher School – London, UK
No parent should have to choose between giving their child an accessible, meaningful learning environment and giving them a Jewish education.
Gesher, a Jewish school for children aged 4-16 with a range of mild-moderate special educational needs including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and Down’s syndrome, was created with this in mind.
The school’s multi-therapeutic team approach places well-being and emotional health at its core. Its pupils have ‘spiky’ profiles, meaning mainstream learning is inaccessible and damaging. With a scarcity of special school places and a desperate lack of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in the UK, these children are often misunderstood, bullied, isolated, excluded from education, and marginalised to the fringes of society.
The Wohl Legacy has supported Gesher School since its inception, advising on the business model and providing seed-funding. Within seven months of opening – initially as a primary school, Gesher achieved an Ofsted Outstanding in every single area. During the pandemic Gesher relocated to new, larger premises, enabling expansion from a primary to a secondary school to become an all-through, forward-thinking, special school for vulnerable children and young people.
In September 2022, under a new and more rigorous inspection framework Gesher achieved a second Ofsted Outstanding in all areas. The report cited its ‘exceptional quality of provision’ and ‘ambitious curriculum taught by expert staff’.
In memory of Howard Stanton z’l, a Gesher advisor, champion and friend, The Wohl Legacy supported a further project, the publishing of several innovative handy and practical guides, making the Jewish faith more inclusive and accessible. They have been made available, community wide, for all children and families, especially those with special educational needs, covering the main festivals.
With a long-term ambition to transform how young people who learn differently are educated, Gesher provision is enabling young adults to leave school with the self-esteem, skills and qualifications to gain employment and lead independent, meaningful lives.
