Side by Side's New School Nears Completion

With construction now well underway, Side by Side’s new state-of-the-art school is set to open in September 2022. Located in North London, the 35,000 square foot building will see Side by Side’s capacity increase from 80 to 130 pupils to meet the growing demand of the Orthodox Jewish community. Side by Side provides schooling to both mainstream and special needs pupils in its Nursery and Special School for older pupils, ensuring that all children are given the opportunities to develop their maximum potential.

Side by Side teaches its pupils core and independent life skills, blending Jewish studies and secular education while transforming how children with additional needs are supported and perceived within the community. Alongside enrichment activities and a broad and varied educational programme, Side by Side offers professional therapeutic interventions and personalised Education, Health & Care Plans designed to meet every child’s needs.

The new build project encapsulates Side by Side’s mission – to provide a vibrant, outstanding learning environment for nursery age children and young people with special educational needs. This ethos runs through all school activities, promoting inclusivity and allowing pupils to achieve their personal best in an integrated setting. The new school will continue to offer tailored programmes to ensure that each student’s unique therapeutic, social, and educational needs are catered for, that they have access to the best possible educational experience and are fully supported through their transition into adulthood.

The new school will see enhanced facilities, hosting 16 well-equipped classrooms, a teaching kitchen, dedicated therapy and sensory rooms, a life-skills hub, an outdoor playground, and a roof-top garden. It will also include learning spaces designed to support different capabilities, increased IT use, designated areas for children with social and emotional difficulties, suitable facilities for children with physical disabilities, holistic therapeutic provisions and better facilities for staff.

Since its inception over 23 years ago, the school’s dedicated staff team have enabled students with additional needs to learn new skills and reach new heights. With the increased space and resources that the new facilities will offer, Side by Side looks forward to helping even more students thrive.