Immanuel’s new Cockney headmaster ‘delighted’ with role

A Cockney Chelsea fan has been appointed the new headmaster of private Jewish school Immanuel College.

Gary Griffin, a “true Londoner” born within earshot of Bow Bells, is to take over at the independent Bushey establishment from September, replacing Charles Dormer.

Griffin, who has held senior positions at City of London School (CLS), most recently operating as Acting Head, said he was “delighted” to be confirmed in post this week after Governors made the announcement on Monday.

“It will be a privilege to have the opportunity to build on the work of Charles Dormer who has led the school so admirably in recent years to such strong performance,” said Griffin, in tribute to Dormer’s five years at the helm.

“I look forward to leading Immanuel College and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and its exceptional staff to further the strong three pillars of academic excellence, expert pastoral care and inspiring Jewish Education.”

Edward Misrahi, co-chair of Governors, also paid tribute to Dormer, adding: “We were fortunate to attract a strong set of candidates, but were clear that Gary has all the requisite qualities, experience and energy to further strengthen our performance and to lead the College to the next phase in its success.”

On the new man, Misrahi said: “Gary is a true Londoner, born within the sound of Bow Bells, so technically a cockney, but brought up in Fulham. He is a keen follower of football: a lifelong Chelsea supporter, though he has been known to visit Dulwich Hamlet and Wycombe Wanderers too!”

Griffin’s most recent responsibility at CLS – where he started teaching Politics and History in 1981 – has been for pastoral care and school discipline, as well as overseeing the provision of educational support services such as the School Counsellors, the Learning Support Department, health and safety and staff induction.

He takes the reins at Immanuel just months after the fee-paying school was confirmed as the country’s best-performing Jewish school at A-levels, where students averaged an ‘A’ grade.