Following a meeting between Jewish leaders and activists with the Rt. Hon Nick Gibb earlier this year, the Torah Education Committee (TEC) was established. TEC is a coalition of Independent Orthodox Jewish schools from within Hasidic communities aiming to implement best practice in schools based in London and Manchester and, in doing so, to strengthen and defend Torah education in the UK.

Education is integral to Jewish communal life and it is TEC’s mission to ensure that the future of traditional Jewish education is safeguarded. TEC exists as a platform to advocate for Jewish schools in the Hasidic community. TEC are committed to showcasing the proud heritage of educational excellence in our community, whilst preserving our right to teach our children in accordance with Torah values.

Although Ofsted continues to exhibit an aggressive approach to interpreting Government policy without regard for cultural difference or communal tradition, the recent success of the Beis Rochel d’Satmar Girls School attests to the fact that it is possible to find constructive ways forward. This is only possible if Ofsted are willing to recognise excellent progress in education and safeguarding in our schools.

In addition to undertaking advocacy on behalf of schools within the Jewish community, TEC will aim to create programmes to assist schools with their governance, structures and policy. TEC benefits from the input of expert external consultants to facilitate this endeavour and ensures that all of our programmes are endorsed by our Rabbinic leadership. In the long term, TEC aims to enhance our schools’ ability to plan for future changes of policy, whatever the circumstance.