The only Jewish prep school in Bushey will be forced to ring its last bell at the end of this academic year, after grappling with huge financial pressures.
With changes to business rates and inflation, Immanuel College has been left with no option but to close its prep school, leaving students unable to study at a local school of their faith.
Daniel Levy, chair of governors at Immanuel College, explained how parents and families were at the forefront of the decision-making process.
He said: “We know that parents make huge sacrifices for their children’s education.
“The past five years, starting with COVID, through the period of high inflation and now with the addition of VAT to school fees, has created unprecedented financial pressures across our sector.”
A spokesperson for the school added: “The introduction of VAT on fees, in addition the increase in National Insurance and Teachers’ Pension Scheme costs and the removal of business rates relief, has had a significant impact across the independent schools sector.”
The governing bodies of Immanuel College Prep School and Kerem School in London have now announced that they will enter into a collaboration, effective from September 2025. Kerem School will offer places to all pupils in Years 1 to 5 and will have access to the Bushey site and its facilities for activities and events.
Mr Levy continued: “The collaboration with Kerem will ensure that our children have the opportunity to continue receiving an outstanding primary education and the stability they require in these uncertain times.
“It goes without saying that, as sad as we are to be saying ‘goodbye’, we are looking forward to welcoming them back to the Senior School in the future.”
Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Oliver Dowden, MP for Hertsmere, voiced his “concerns that Jewish children in Hertsmere will now be deprived of an education which aligns with their religious beliefs”.
Photo credit: Immanuel College
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