CALDERWOOD LODGE INFORMATION

Applying for Approval to teach at Calderwood Lodge Primary School

Background

The relevant legislation on the management of denominational schools in Scotland states that:

“A teacher appointed to any post on the staff of any such school by the education authority. . . shall be required to be approved as regards religious belief and character by representatives of the church or denominational body in whose interest the school has been conducted”. [Education (Scotland) Act 1980 Section 21(2)A]

To enable East Renfrewshire Council to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, Glasgow Jewish Representative Council (GJRC) requires to be assured that teachers are suitable for the roles to which they are appointed, having regard to the above legislation.

Accordingly, when seeking approval, a teacher must demonstrate their suitability for the teaching post in question within Calderwood Lodge Primary School (CLPS), with its Jewish ethos, practices and values, as outlined in the “Statement adopted by Glasgow Jewish Representative Council for the purposes of recruitment to Calderwood Lodge Primary School”.

In order to demonstrate their suitability, applicants for positions at CLPS seeking such approval must complete Form A (obtainable from GJRC on request), including information to be obtained for Jewish communal vetting and security purposes, and provide a reference from a suitable professional person via Form B (also obtainable on request from GJRC). Applicants may also be required to attend for interview.

Exceptionally, in particular where a candidate is already known to GJRC or to other Jewish communal organisations, it may be possible to obtain approval via interview alone. Please contact GJRC for further guidance should you wish to inquire as to whether this may be feasible. For the avoidance of doubt, in all such cases, any decision not to require submission of Forms A and/or B will be for GJRC at its sole discretion.

Summary

1. As early as practicable when applying for a post at CLPS, you should contact GJRC at office@glasgowjewishrepcouncil.org to obtain the necessary forms, complete and return Form A, and complete and arrange to have Form B returned directly to GJRC.
2. If you are applying for a post as a “Supply teacher”, or through the “Teacher Induction scheme”, then

where relevant you should indicate this in Form A, in the space provided for details of the school and post.

• In Form A you must provide a statement to demonstrate how you satisfy the statutory requirements for CLPS in respect of religious belief and character (though for the avoidance of doubt there is no requirement to be of any particular religious belief), and accordingly how you propose to undertake the duties associated with the particular post at CLPS for which you are applying. In completing this form, you are advised to consider the distinctive features of CLPS as outlined in the Statement adopted by Glasgow Jewish Representative Council for the purposes of recruitment to Calderwood Lodge Primary School.
• You must also provide the name in Form A of a suitable professional person who can provide a reference in respect of relevant statutory requirements. (A second name is only necessary if the first referee fails to provide a reference.)
• You should also complete the relevant section of Form B. You should take Form B promptly to your referee, asking them to return the completed Form B directly to office@glasgowjewishrepcouncil.org.
• GJRC will consider the statements in both forms and/or information obtained at interview, to determine if it can give approval to your appointment in this post in line with statutory requirements.
• If GJRC judges that it cannot approve your appointment, the reasons will be communicated to you in writing. You will also be informed of your right to appeal this decision.

Statement adopted by Glasgow Jewish Representative Council for the purposes of recruitment to Calderwood Lodge Primary School

Statement adopted 6 February 2021

Providing at all times the highest quality of education, all activities at Calderwood Lodge Primary School (the School) will reflect Jewish values as these derive from and in turn reflect the beliefs, practices, thought, and traditions inherent in Judaism.

The Jewish ethos of the School permeates and is reflected in all School activities, secular as well as non-secular. Maintenance of the School’s ethos is the responsibility of all staff and pupils, reinforcing within the School the centrality of Judaism as faith, heritage, culture, and community.

The cardinal values to be promoted within the School are:

–          Torah and Derekh Eretz

• Commitment to Jewish education and promotion of Jewish history, values, religious practices, and observances.
  • Respect for the history, culture and values of the society and communities in which we live.

–          Binah

• Nurturing curiosity and learning in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

–          Chesed

• Lovingkindness and compassion for others, in recognition that all individuals are of equal value and worth.

–          Emet

• The pursuit of truth, honesty and integrity.

–          Tzedek

• Justice, dignity, and mutual respect and responsibility. Living and speaking up for our values.

–          Tikkun Olam

• Commitment to social justice, human rights, and to making our world a better place for all.

–          Kehillah

• Close partnership and engagement with the Jewish community, including its synagogues and other institutions. The School forms an integral part of the Jewish community, and vice versa.
  • Partnership with parents and families.

–          Ivrit and Eretz Yisrael

• Commitment to the learning, promotion and use of the Hebrew language (“Ivrit”).
  • Recognition and promotion of the centrality of the land and State of Israel in Judaism and Jewish identity (“Zionism”).

All staff appointed to the School are expected to support and promote all aspects of this Jewish ethos.

Practical points

The model of Judaism observed at the School is based on the orthodox tradition as interpreted by the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, with its accepted

practices and values. This is recognised through the appointment of the School Chaplain, who regularly visits the School and participates, guides and advises on religious activities.

Integral to this tradition as it is observed and practiced within the School is the adoption of an inclusive and non-judgmental approach to children and families from all Jewish denominations and to their Jewish education.

The School also welcomes and respects children and families from all other faiths, heritages, cultures, and communities. All pupils without distinction are accorded the same opportunities to learn about Judaism and Jewish practices. This includes the provision of education programmes that enable all pupils to develop their understanding of Judaism, Jewish traditions, heritage and experiences, and Torah values and how to apply these in life.

The School calendar and all School-related events (within or outside the School premises) are scheduled in accordance with the Jewish religious calendar and throughout winter the School closes early on Friday afternoon to allow staff and families prepare for the sabbath (“Shabbat”) which starts at sunset. Throughout the academic year, each of the classes contribute to celebrating the Jewish religious festivals and each Friday the whole School formally welcomes the forthcoming Shabbat.

Jewish dietary laws and practices (“Kashrut”) are core to Jewish faith and observance. The School kitchens are accordingly formally supervised by the West of Scotland Kashrut Commission to ensure essential requirements of Kashrut are constantly met. In practice this means that the School’s kitchens are kept strictly Kosher and that children are provided with only supervised food products. Similarly, any organisation wishing to let the School premises may not have use of the School kitchen unless there is proper Kosher supervision. The School Chaplain has authority for ensuring that the kitchens are Kosher and has ultimate authority over what can or cannot be done in this area.

It is also expected that all School-related events, within or outside the School premises, will observe the same high standards of Kashrut.