Immanuel College saved after remarkable £12million raised in one week
Parents lead effort that will see education entrepreneur Aaron Etingen become chair
Immanuel College has been dramatically rescued from imminent closure after a group of donors stepped in to save the Bushey school.
It was announced last week that the community’s only private secondary would close its doors this summer after 35 years, provoking a wave of tributes to the much-loved institution and a desperate rush for places for its current pupils for next year.
A series of financial challenges culminating in the levying of VAT on fees by the government led to the governors “painful” decision that the future was likely unsustainable.
In its initial statement, the school said: “Changing dynamics within the Jewish education landscape, including the increased popularity of state schools, have contributed to reduced enrolment.”
But a small group of parents refused to accept the news and came together last week to try to raise the funds needed. Claudia and Robert Salem, Annabel and Lee Sheldon, and Jeremy and Davinia Teacher reached out to the community, fielding an overwhelming wave of calls and donations for nine days.
Their efforts were backed by the financial commitment of the Meromim Foundation, the Charles Wolfson Foundation and senior rabbinical leaders Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, Executive Director of Chabad.org; Rabbi Zalman Duchman, Executive Director of Colel Chabad-Charities for Israel; and Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin, CEO of Lubavitch of Wisconsin, who were rallied by Rebbetzin Shterna Sudak and flew in from the United States.
The group reached out to donors and, over the course of nine days, raised funds and persuaded the governors, led by Daniel Levy to reverse the original closure decision and vote in favour of their new plans at a board meeting.
A spokesperson from the group of parents told Jewish News: “London, one of the world’s great centres of Jewish life, culture and learning — a city whose Jewish community has shaped its legal, medical, academic and cultural institutions for generations — cannot be without a private modern Orthodox Jewish school. The importance of Immanuel College to the fabric of that community was felt in every call.”
They added that their ambition was never simply to keep the school open for a few more years.
“Our mission, from day one, was to secure Immanuel’s future for generations to come”. That crystallised when they met Aaron Etingen and Yakir and Elena Gabbay — individuals whose experience in building world-class educational institutions gave the group the confidence that they had found the right team to lead Immanuel into its next chapter.
Thanks to the “complete turnaround” since the original announcement last Tuesday and as a consequence of the community’s efforts, the school no longer needs to close its doors.
“Children were left with no school to attend last week and with GCSE exams starting Monday morning, they can go into those with peace of mind and focus. We understand that parents are looking for stability and clarity and that will of course be given,” the spokesperson said.
“What the community has achieved in 10 days and the support from around the world, is testament to strength of the Jewish people. From all walks for life, from tiny amounts to large amounts the school has not only been saved but will now flourish for generations.”
Yavneh College last week held an open evening for worried parents with children at Immanuel, to discuss plans to “accommodate as many additional students as possible” , JCoSS and JFS reopened applications for their sixth forms next year to help students at the college and Jewish schools network PaJeS set up an online portal for parents looking for school places for their children next year.
In a statement today, Immanuel’s chair of governors, Daniel Levy, said he was “delighted to announce that a solution has been secured to safeguard the future of Immanuel College”, adding that the agreement was “subject to final due diligence and regulatory checks.”
Levy went on to say: “Following this intensive period of work, we have reached an agreement in principle with Aaron Etingen, who has committed to lead the next phase of the school’s journey as incoming Chair of Trustees.
“Aaron brings an exceptional track record and a clear commitment not only to Immanuel, but to the future of Jewish life and education in London and across the UK. Aaron is the founder and CEO of GUS (Global University Systems) which has 30 institutions operating across the globe educating 170,000 students on-campus and 20 million students online.”
Levy described the agreement as representing “a pivotal moment. It ensures that Immanuel is not only protected in the immediacy but positioned to thrive for years to come. Aside from strengthening the College’s balance sheet, the incoming team has committed to invest sustainably in the school and its community for the long-term.
“This marks a significant milestone and it is also the beginning of the next chapter. Significant funds have been committed to continue and, indeed, to accelerate the necessary work to build on Immanuel’s successes and enable the school to excel in the future. There remains a vital place, and need, for a strong, independent Jewish school for our community. Immanuel can once again be that school.”
Aaron Etingen said: “We are truly delighted to support Immanuel College at such a pivotal time. This is more than an investment in a school, it is an investment in the future of Jewish education and community life in London and across the UK. Immanuel has a strong foundation and enormous potential, and I am committed to working with the team to build something enduring, ambitious and exceptional for generations to come.”
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