Immanuel to change Management Structure

Wednesday, 11th January 2012

Immanuel College will be changing its management structure with effect from the 1st September 2012 to one that operates with three Deputy Head positions, namely:

            - Deputy Head: Teaching Quality and Academic Improvement
            - Deputy Head: Pastoral Care & Pupil Progress
            - Deputy Head: Jewish Life and Learning

Following a selection process, incoming head, Mr Charles Dormer announced on the 6th December 2011, when he met and presented to parents at the school, that with effect from 1st September 2012 internal candidate Rabbi David Riffkin had been appointed to the position of Deputy Head: Jewish Life and Learning and internal candidate Mrs Beth Kerr had been appointed to the position of Deputy Head: Pastoral Care & Pupil Progress. Our congratulations go to both Rabbi Riffkin and Mrs Kerr for their well deserved promotions.

We are now delighted to announce that Mr Dormer has appointed Mr Martin Blain to the position of Deputy Head: Teaching Quality and Academic Improvement. Mr Blain, whose career in education began as a teacher of Mathematics, has, since 2006, held a number of roles at Hasmonean School, including the position of a Deputy Head. Prior to that, Mr Blain was Deputy Head at two other maintained schools in London. Mr Blain went to school at Queen Elizabeth’s school in Barnet, where he was Head Boy. He graduated at Cambridge University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Engineering and Law before obtaining the Cambridge Master of Arts degree. After Cambridge, Mr Blain worked for the civil service and in industry before becoming a teacher.  His Postgraduate Certificate of Education was at King’s College, University of London and he has the NPQH.

Mr Blain has much relevant experience and expertise within both secondary schools and Jewish education and his key areas of expertise include curriculum development, monitoring and reporting of student progress, the Sixth Form, teacher training and development, pastoral care and Mathematics. He has worked with the Academies and Enterprise Trust over the last two years to help them improve standards and performance in a number of their schools.

Mr Blain will formally take up his role as Deputy Head: Teaching Quality and Academic Improvement at Immanuel College on the 1st September 2012. To ensure a smooth and efficient transition takes place, we are pleased to announce that he will be present at the school with effect from the 23rd April 2012.

Mr Blain said, “I am delighted to be joining Immanuel College and look forward to working with Mr Dormer, Mrs Kerr, Rabbi Riffkin and all other colleagues at Immanuel, to further strengthen the school’s position as one characterised by academic excellence, expert pastoral care and inspiring Jewish education.”

The Governing Body is both pleased and excited that Immanuel College is well set for 2012 and beyond.