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The Polack Centre at Clifton College

The History

Clifton’s relationship with the Jewish community goes back to the founding Headmaster, John Percival, and the establishment of a boarding house for Jewish pupils that opened in 1878.

Polack’s House remained a ‘Jewish home in an English public school’ until the closure of the House in 2005. The presence of a strong and vibrant minority community within the School has been a great strength, and this has been recognized by pupils, parents, staff, governors and inspectors alike.

The Polack Trust has undertaken to ensure that this precious relationship can continue to flourish in the 21st century in the form of the Polack Centre, for the mutual benefit of both the Clifton and Jewish communities, and in a much changed educational landscape.

The Philosophy

Jewish Cliftonians are members of one of the 11 Houses at Clifton, whether they are day pupils or boarders, girls or boys. They are also welcomed into our Prep and Pre-Prep schools and can thereby participate in the Jewish activities at the College. Jewish boys and girls are encouraged to celebrate and nurture their Jewish identity, for their own benefit and also that of the wider school community. Clifton is a school which believes that a diverse community is a healthy and dynamic community, and where ‘the dignity of difference’ is an integral part of the overall ethos.

The Present

Since September 2005, Clifton has embarked on a new era in the provision it makes for Jewish pupils. There has been substantial continuity, despite the dramatic changes necessitated by the closure of Polack’s House.

The Centre is located in what has been known as “The Old SCR”. This occupies an ideal, central position on the campus. Mr Greenbury is responsible for the Jewish community at Clifton, and will endeavour to meet their needs and support their careers at the College, whichever House they are in.

The venue has been refurbished to serve several functions, being designed for prayer, study and social gatherings. It also has the benefit of a small kitchen in an adjacent corridor.

Jewish life at Clifton is more extensive and substantial than at any other British boarding school. The list of Jewish Old Cliftonians is a long and distinguished one and, largely through their benefaction, Scholarships and Bursaries exist to enable needy and worthy young Jews to enrol at the College.

We offer many opportunities for Jewish pupils to explore and develop their identities. These include:

• A synagogue in the Polack Centre, where morning and Sabbath services are held.
• Friday night suppers.
• Jewish Studies and Hebrew teaching, up to GCSE and A Level.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation.
• Kosher food.
• Links with the Jewish students at Bristol’s Hillel House.
• Links with both the Orthodox and Liberal communities in Bristol.
• Links with all the major Jewish youth groups in the U.K.
• The celebration of Jewish festivals during term time.

Polack Scholarships and Bursaries

Jewish boys and girls are encouraged to apply for any of Clifton College’s Academic, Music, Art and Sport Scholarships (at 11+, 13+ and 16+). The Trustees of the Polack’s House Scholarships Fund are also able to award a number of means-tested Polack Bursaries for Jewish boys and girls who would not otherwise be able to come to the School.

These Scholarships and Bursaries may be up to the value of 100% of the fees.

For further information about Admissions, please contact the Director of Admissions, Mr Simon Tait, tel: (0117) 315 7000 or email: admissions@clifton-college.avon.sch.uk.

For further information about the Polack Centre, please contact Mr Jo Greenbury, tel: (0117) 315 7243 or email: jgreenbury@clifton-college.avon.sch.uk.

© 2006-12 Clifton College