Immanuel College

Immanuel College is an independent Jewish day school and sixth-form for 11 to 18 year olds. It is located in Bushey, Hertfordshire, just outside London. The current Headmaster since 2000 is Philip Skelker, formerly the last ever head of Carmel College and he was also briefly at Eton College.

There are approximately 550 students at Immanuel College. The college offers a broad range of mathematical, scientific and religious subjects, preparing students for GCSE and A-level examinations.

The college is very aware of the need to raise money for charity and does this successfully throughout the year using its charity Shevet Achim.

Another notable aspect of Immanuel College is its emphasis on social action projects. Examples include The Yoni Jesner awards scheme and the Manna from Heaven project which provides weekly meals for a local homeless shelter in Watford. The social action agenda of Immanuel College has largely been shaped and directed by Elaine Robinson the ex-deputy director of Jewish Life.

History

The school was opened in 1990 on land acquired from the neighbouring convent by donations from the British Jewish Community. The school does charge tuition fees from its students, but also receives charitable donations from the community, parents and other stakeholders. There were also 10 scholarships available from Year 7, the Immanuel Jacobovitz Scholarship. However full scholarships are no longer offered, but half - scholarships are still awarded each year.

Grounds

The school is built on the grounds of Caldecote Towers, of Bushey, Hertfordshire, a nunnery, and formerly the Rosary Priory Catholic Girls School. The original house is used as a sixth form and staff block. More recent additions include two teaching blocks, a science block, a grass playing field, an Astroturf sports area and a catering block. There is also a block made up of portacabins, which will hopefully be replaced by a new block once the school has enough funding.

Ethos

The ethos of the schools is "Torah_im_Derech_Eretz", lit. "The Jewish Bible with the Way of the Land". This is the defining philosophy of Jewish Modern Orthodoxy which teaches basic religious values and practicies, coupled with modern life in the Western world.

Demographics

The pupils of the school generally are drawn from Orthodox Families in Northwest and North London. Some children are of Israeli immigrant descent.

School trips

The school organises a number of residential trips for its students:- Year 7: York (3 - 5 days) (most recent trip 2007 was Monday - Wednesday)- Year 8: Paris- Year 9: Israel (4 weeks)- Year 10: Strasbourg (6 days); this contains the option of an excursion into Germany near Baden-Baden.- Year 12: Poland, including trips to Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka (10 days).

External links

* [http://www.immanuelcollege.co.uk/ immanuelcollege.co.uk]