Inspired by the vision of the legendary Rav Chaim Kaufman zt”l, The Gateshead Cheder has blossomed into one of the largest מוסד חינוך חרדי in the UK, under the guidance of a distinguished team of מחנכים.
Nine years ago, to meet the needs of a growing Kehilla, the Cheder moved into Bede House, a 10-storey office block adapted for classrooms. While this was a significant step, the exponential growth of the Cheder made it clear that a long-term home was needed.
The local authority only gave us a temporary licence to be in Bede House, which has now expired, and they have discontinued the licence to operate as a school.
After 18 months of complex negotiations with the local council, and with the expert help of the JCCG, the Cheder was זוכה to acquire the Dryden Centre — a facility uniquely equipped for a thriving Torah institution. Dryden is a purposely built school which makes it our ideal destination, with room for projected growth. The campus boasts:
36 fully-equipped classrooms
Over 30 one-to-one learning rooms
More than 20 administrative and support offices
Two spacious בתי מדרש
A state-of-the-art production hall with professional stage, lighting, and audio
A full-size indoor sports hall
A dedicated Early Years building with secure outdoor play area
With 2 streams running up to Kita Zayin, and 3 streams for Kita Alef, Kita Beis, and Early Years, the Cheder continues to expand rapidly. In the coming years, it is projected, בעז"ה, to reach 1,000 תלמידים, כן ירבו.
The purpose of this campaign is to raise the substantial funds required to fit out the classrooms, install essential systems such as fire alarms, lighting, and security, and to fully rebuild the Early Years Centre. Although the Dryden Centre was originally constructed as a school, it has not been in use for over 30 years and therefore requires extensive building works throughout.
This is your opportunity to be a partner in building the future of Torah education in the UK. By supporting this campaign, you are not only investing in a campus — you are investing in the נשמות of hundreds of precious children, ensuring they grow in תורה, יראת שמים, and מידות טובות.
Join us. Be part of history. Together, we can secure the future of our Cheder.
תרום!