Difference between revisions of "Immanuel College"
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'''Immanuel College''' (formally The Charles Kalms – Henry Ronson Immanuel College) is a co-educational independent Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1990, it educates pupils aged approximately 10–18 and is run by the charitable company [[The Charles Kalms, Henry Ronson Immanuel College|THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE]] (charity number 803179; company number 02492411).<ref>Charity Commission, [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/803179 THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE], accessed 2026.</ref><ref>Companies House, [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02492411 THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE], company 02492411.</ref> | '''Immanuel College''' (formally The Charles Kalms – Henry Ronson Immanuel College) is a co-educational independent Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1990, it educates pupils aged approximately 10–18 and is run by the charitable company [[The Charles Kalms, Henry Ronson Immanuel College|THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE]] (charity number 803179; company number 02492411).<ref>Charity Commission, [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/803179 THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE], accessed 2026.</ref><ref>Companies House, [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02492411 THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE], company 02492411.</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The school opened in 1990 under the initiative of then-Chief Rabbi [[Lord Immanuel Jakobovits]], with major funding from the [[Kalms]] and [[Ronson]] families. Its mission statement, drafted in 1988 by [[Lord Jonathan Sacks]], emphasised leadership rooted in Jewish responsibility linked to the global Jewish community and Israel.<ref>Jewish News, [https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/immanuel-college-faces-closure-after-35-years/ Immanuel College to close after 35 years], 14 April 2026.</ref> | + | The school opened in 1990 under the initiative of then-Chief Rabbi [[Lord Immanuel Jakobovits]], with major funding from the [[Kalms family|Kalms]] and [[Ronson family|Ronson]] families. Its mission statement, drafted in 1988 by [[Lord Jonathan Sacks]], emphasised leadership rooted in Jewish responsibility linked to the global Jewish community and Israel.<ref>Jewish News, [https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/immanuel-college-faces-closure-after-35-years/ Immanuel College to close after 35 years], 14 April 2026.</ref> |
A preparatory school opened in 2011 and closed at the end of 2024–25 due to financial pressures. In April 2026 governors announced proposed closure of the senior school amid falling enrolment (from a peak near 680 to about 360), a £2 million loss in the year to August 2025, VAT on fees, National Insurance rises and competition from state Jewish schools. A parent-led campaign raised approximately £12–13 million in nine days. Control passed to a new board under [[Aaron Etingen]] (founder of [[Global University Systems]]) as Chair and [[Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff]] as CEO.<ref>Jewish News, [https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/embargo-immanuel-college-dramatically-saved-from-closure-after-millions-raised-in-days/ Immanuel College saved after remarkable £12million raised], 24 April 2026.</ref><ref>The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/family-and-education/top-performing-immanuel-college-to-close-at-end-of-summer-term-kxwcsszr Top performing Immanuel College to close], 14 April 2026.</ref> | A preparatory school opened in 2011 and closed at the end of 2024–25 due to financial pressures. In April 2026 governors announced proposed closure of the senior school amid falling enrolment (from a peak near 680 to about 360), a £2 million loss in the year to August 2025, VAT on fees, National Insurance rises and competition from state Jewish schools. A parent-led campaign raised approximately £12–13 million in nine days. Control passed to a new board under [[Aaron Etingen]] (founder of [[Global University Systems]]) as Chair and [[Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff]] as CEO.<ref>Jewish News, [https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/embargo-immanuel-college-dramatically-saved-from-closure-after-millions-raised-in-days/ Immanuel College saved after remarkable £12million raised], 24 April 2026.</ref><ref>The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/family-and-education/top-performing-immanuel-college-to-close-at-end-of-summer-term-kxwcsszr Top performing Immanuel College to close], 14 April 2026.</ref> | ||
==Activities== | ==Activities== | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 2 August 2026
| Immanuel College | |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent co-educational Modern Orthodox Jewish day school |
| Logo | |
| Founded | |
| Founder(s) | Lord Immanuel Jakobovits |
| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | 87–91 Elstree Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 4EB |
| Location | |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | |
| Website | www.immanuelcollege.co.uk |
| Remarks | |
Immanuel College (formally The Charles Kalms – Henry Ronson Immanuel College) is a co-educational independent Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1990, it educates pupils aged approximately 10–18 and is run by the charitable company THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE (charity number 803179; company number 02492411).[1][2]
History
The school opened in 1990 under the initiative of then-Chief Rabbi Lord Immanuel Jakobovits, with major funding from the Kalms and Ronson families. Its mission statement, drafted in 1988 by Lord Jonathan Sacks, emphasised leadership rooted in Jewish responsibility linked to the global Jewish community and Israel.[3] A preparatory school opened in 2011 and closed at the end of 2024–25 due to financial pressures. In April 2026 governors announced proposed closure of the senior school amid falling enrolment (from a peak near 680 to about 360), a £2 million loss in the year to August 2025, VAT on fees, National Insurance rises and competition from state Jewish schools. A parent-led campaign raised approximately £12–13 million in nine days. Control passed to a new board under Aaron Etingen (founder of Global University Systems) as Chair and Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff as CEO.[4][5]
Activities
The curriculum balances secular academic subjects with Jewish Life and Learning under mottos associated with Jakobovits: “Let my people know” and “Let my people grow.” The school emphasises a culture of mishpacha (family) and ruach (spirit).[6]
Connections to Zionism
Israel education forms a core element. The school runs the Immanuel College Israel Trip (ICIT), a two-week Year 9 tour of historical and charitable sites. Year 12 participates in an annual Israel-Get Connected Day with United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA), including debates and speakers such as the Israeli Ambassador. Jewish Studies incorporates shlichim (emissaries) and madrichim alongside groups including Mizrachi UK and Jewish National Fund (JNF UK). Staff have undertaken programmes organised by StandWithUs UK. Israeli national days (Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Yerushalayim) are marked with school-wide events. After October 2023 the school launched an Emergency Bursary Fund for British-Israeli pupils and hosted groups from Israeli schools such as King Solomon School. External pro-Israel speakers and visits (including those linked to organisations supporting wounded Israeli veterans such as Beit Halochem) form part of the informal education programme.[7][8]
People
Trustees / Directors
The charity’s trustees (who are also company directors) as recorded by the Charity Commission and school (post-May 2026 rescue):
| Name | Role | Appointment Date |
|---|---|---|
| Arkady Etingen (Aaron Etingen) | Chair | 8 May 2026 |
| Gary Narunsky | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Sarah Sultman | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Valery Kisilevsky | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Annabel Sheldon | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Alfred Morris | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Elena Gabay | Trustee | 8 May 2026 |
| Tyler Welby | Trustee | 1 September 2025 |
| David Sheinman | Trustee | 11 December 2023 |
| Rabbi Steven Rosenblatt (Shaul) | Trustee | 11 December 2023 |
| Lisa-Michell Zimmerman | Trustee | 27 June 2019 (re-appointed) |
| Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff (Jacob) | Trustee / CEO | 11 December 2023 |
| Jamie Peston | Trustee | 3 April 2024 |
[9] Earlier chairs included Daniel Levy. Company secretary: Isabel Arbisman.
Staff
Head (to 2026): Daniel Endlar. Interim head from September 2026: Christopher Jones. Deputy heads have included roles in pastoral, academic and Jewish Life & Learning (e.g. Rabbi Yoni Golker).
Prominent pupils
Notable alumni include journalist Sabrina Miller (Daily Mail; Young Journalist of the Year 2023; class of 2018); musician Bertie Green (Glastonbury performer); actors such as Emma Kingston and Brady Isaacs Pearce; entrepreneurs Josh Hart, Simon Rabin, Josh White; musician Jonny Turgel; and others in medicine, law, education and public life.[10]
Finances
Sources of funding
Income is primarily from fees (charitable activities). Selected figures:
| Year end | Total income | Charitable activities | Donations | Investments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 2025 | £11.98m | £11.34m | £0.33m | £0.31m |
| 31 Aug 2024 | £14.55m | £13.63m | £0.55m | £0.36m |
| 31 Aug 2023 | £15.61m | £14.52m | £0.53m | £0.17m |
[11] A 2026 parent/philanthropist bailout of ~£12–13m (including Meromim Foundation, Charles Wolfson Foundation and others) averted closure.
Donations made
No significant grants to external institutions recorded in recent accounts; expenditure is almost entirely on school operations.
Contact
Address: 87–91 Elstree Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 4EB Telephone: 020 8950 0604 Email: enquiries@immanuelcollege.co.uk Website: www.immanuelcollege.co.uk Social: @ICBushey (X/Twitter); @ImmanuelCollegeUK (Facebook)
Notes
- ↑ Charity Commission, THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE, accessed 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, THE CHARLES KALMS, HENRY RONSON IMMANUEL COLLEGE, company 02492411.
- ↑ Jewish News, Immanuel College to close after 35 years, 14 April 2026.
- ↑ Jewish News, Immanuel College saved after remarkable £12million raised, 24 April 2026.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Top performing Immanuel College to close, 14 April 2026.
- ↑ Immanuel College website, Welcome.
- ↑ Immanuel College, Israel and Poland Trips.
- ↑ Jewish News / Jewish Chronicle reports on solidarity events, 2025.
- ↑ Charity Commission register and Immanuel College governance page, 2026.
- ↑ Jewish News, Immanuel will always be with us, Sabrina Miller, 15 April 2026; school and alumni reports.
- ↑ Charity Commission financial history.