House Systems

The qualities laid out in our vision for Immanuel students are found abundantly in the four people who are our House figureheads: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Margaret McMillan, Florence Nightingale and William Wilberforce.

All four exemplify our values of perseverance, character and hope and lived lives in the service of others.

At Immanuel there are many ways to belong. One of them is by being adopted into a House upon arrival in year 7. Over the years students will gather in their Houses for assemblies, events and competitions in which they will, as our vision says, “be inspired to flourish in their educational journey”.

Students in years 7-9 are looked after by a Head and Assistant Head of House who will be with them for their first three years at Immanuel. After that, when GCSEs begin, students will meet more often as a year group. However, they will remain attached to the House and have opportunity to practice their leadership skills in House competitions.

House competitions are sometimes in years groups, such as the popular Dragon’s Den, Operation Moonbase or the Murder Mystery day. Others are across year groups where students have designed various campaigns to raise awareness of a social or moral issue.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer German pastor and opponent of Hitler. Due to his opposition, he was banned from publishing his work and began working for the Resistance. Accused of plotting to kill Hitler he was arrested, taken to a concentration camp and later executed. Bonhoeffer is remembered laid down his life in the cause of justice.	Margaret McMillan Born in the USA, moved to Britain and began working for children in inner city slums. She wrote a report on the terrible health conditions people in Bradford lived in and campaigned for local authorities to improve sanitation. Later became a nurse and went on to found a college for the training of doctors and nurses.	Florence Nightingale Transformed the way hospitals were run by bringing a revolution in attitudes towards cleanliness. Went to Crimea during the war (1854-56) and saved the lives of many soldiers wounded in battle. Earned the nickname the Lady of the Lamp for her devotion to the soldier’s welfare that went through the night. She was honoured several times for her work and the temporary hospitals constructed to fight the recent Covid-19 pandemic were named after her.	William Wilberforce William experienced a conversion to Christianity that was to transform his life. He gave up his selfish ways and became a tireless campaigner for good causes. Most famously he fought against the Atlantic slave trade. However, Wilberforce started many other organisations dedicated to fighting for justice which still exist today, including the original RSPCA. Wilberforce died in 1833, just as the Slavery Abolition Act was finally passed into law.