Campaign raises extra funds to build RHWL Architects £40m secondary school

Property developer Gerald Ronson is fronting a campaign to help fund the construction of the UK’s first Jewish secondary school.

Designed by RHWL Architects, the £40m Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) has been promised 90% funding by the government, but still needs an extra £10m.

Jewish Community Secondary School

Ronson sent a letter to potential donors asking for funds to help build the East Barnet school which will teach as many as 1,300 pupils.

In it, he wrote: "The school will open up the choice of a Jewish education to a whole new group of parents and has a crucial part to play in re-engaging many who will otherwise be lost to our community."

Ronson’s campaign has already raised £1m to help build the school, which received planning consent last August.

The schools’ backers want it to open in September 2010.