No noticeable change in teaching provision, vows Immanuel chair

The new chair of governors of Immanuel College, Daniel Levy, has told parents that “a restructuring process affecting a small number of teaching colleagues” is about to conclude, but has assured them that “that there will be no noticeable change to the teaching provision, the set sizes, and the commitment to teaching excellence across the whole curriculum, or, the safeguarding and wellbeing of all the family at Immanuel”.

Levy’s letter to parents follows on the heels of a similar communication last week by interim head Mike Buchanan, who confirmed “long-overdue structural changes” to “ensure that we are on a firm financial footing.”

Since Buchanan made clear that the “majority” of the school’s expenditure was on staffing, it seems that a number of unidentified teachers will be leaving the Bushey-based school.

Levy said that he and the rest of the governors had a four-fold set of ambitions for Immanuel. First, to ensure financial stability and to maintain and improve the school buildings; second, to welcome Jo Ebner, who takes up her post as the new head teacher in September; thirdly to recruit specialist governors who will challenge the school to continue to be the very best and more, both in terms of Jewish ways of life and overall education and pastoral care. Finally, to build a master plan, to aspire to create facilities that match the needs of our extraordinary pupils and to the expectations of those who choose to teach here.

Acknowledging that “this has been a really difficult time for teachers, parents and students alike”, Levy said that the good news was that there were a number of people who had expressed serious interest in financially supporting the school. He and the current governors had made “a substantial personal commitment” to Immanuel, he said, and he thanked parents for their “patience and support” for the school.