News and Events | Immanuel Online School

Summer Event — Malvern Hills 2026

20th July 2026

We were excited to hold our summer gathering in the stunning Malvern Hills at the beautiful Elim Conference Centre. This area is steeped in Christian literary history; it was here that C.S. Lewis found inspiration for the landscape of Narnia, and Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings — the authors walked together here. For those staying for the weekend, there was a lot to see and do. We booked out the conference centre for the weekend and had the privilege of watching the football together before Monday's event. Monday's event included seminars, opportunities for parents and students to connect, dramas and sketches, worship, as well as an afternoon of games. For those who stayed there was the opportunity to use the pool and have meals together. A wonderful time.

Use the arrows for the other film from the weekend.

Winter Event 2025, Otford Manor

6th December 2025

Our Winter Event at Otford Manor was packed to capacity and filled with wonderful worship, creative table activities, engaging seminars and opportunities for students from every year group to connect. There was a parent seminar, including hearing from Christian local hubs across the country, fun challenges for the students and a superb Otford Manor lunch in the magnificent Tudor dining hall. We also all had the opportunity to reimagine education! It was a wonderful and memorable day of fellowship, inspiration and encouragement.

Summer Meet-up 2025

12th July 2025

Our Summer 2025 event at Spring Meadow Farm was a joyful and uplifting day filled with worship, fun, and community. A live Christian band played out into the open countryside, creating a beautiful atmosphere for all to enjoy and praise together. Kindly hosted by Robert and Marie Laken, surrounded by 30 acres of beauty, the day featured a wide range of activities for students and families alike — horse riding, photography sessions, baking, nature exploration, song writing, football, and more. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to relax, students to connect with each other, and everyone to celebrate God's creation in a peaceful, rural setting just north of London.

Winter Event 2024

7th December 2024

Our Winter 2024 event at Otford Manor, held for the second year, was a wonderful time of fun, worship, and connection. Students enjoyed a variety of activities, from games to team-building exercises, while parents participated in a series of seminars. The manor lunch provided a chance for everyone to come together, enjoy a meal, and reflect on the day. It was a great opportunity for students to bond with their peers in the beautiful setting of Otford Manor.

September Pine Lake Activity Day

28 September 2024

We hosted another IOS activity day at the stunning Pine Lake Centre near Derby, UK. Students, parents, and staff came together for a day filled with spiritual enrichment and outdoor excitement. The picturesque setting provided the perfect backdrop for a series of inspiring Bible sessions, alongside wonderful activities like paddle boarding, bonfire building and a range of outdoor games.

The day was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect, share, and grow in their faith while enjoying the great outdoors. With beautiful surroundings and a fantastic lunch, it was a memorable event that strengthened bonds and left lasting impressions. A big thank you to the team at Pine Lake for hosting.

August in Milton Keynes

August 2024

A fantastic day of team building and fellowship in the heart of Milton Keynes. The day started early with an engaging team-building challenge, encouraging students to work together, share ideas, and collaborate with one another. Throughout the morning, interactive talks led by tutors sparked thoughtful discussions, providing an opportunity for everyone to grow and connect on deeper levels.

After a fun round of crazy golf and a relaxing lunch together, the group enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at the park. It was a day filled with learning, laughter, and strengthening relationships.

Winter event at Otford Manor

9 December 2023

The Winter Event at Otford Manor on December 9th, 2023, was fantastic! It kicked off with warm welcomes and group games. Families joined from around the globe, some flying in while others came from all corners of the UK. Students from Spain, Switzerland, and Gibraltar added an international flair. Parents mingled while students dived into games, bible study, songwriting, worship, and more. A delightful lunch followed, topped off with cake for two special birthdays. Jonathan shared about Jesus as the bread of life, and we raised our voices with student-led renditions of "Honey in the Rock." A huge thanks to everyone who joined in — it was a day to remember!

Pathways: Research, Medicine, Faith

5 December 2023

Join us on Tuesday 16th January 4:30PM (UK time) for an interactive Zoom seminar where Philip will delve into his pioneering work in medicine and research. He will offer a unique glimpse into his life, intertwining his professional insights with a Christian perspective. Q&A at the end. Meet others in the IOS community. Please do register early to avoid disappointment.

Register for the seminar

Online Safety and Parental Controls — with Qustodio

6 November 2023

When: Nov 16, 2023 07:30 PM, Zoom. More information and registration. Seminar on the importance of keeping your child safe online. A generous offer from Qustodio (via the IOS link provided in the seminar) for up to two devices for free.

We invited Katherine Howard from Smoothwall to talk about how we can keep our children and young people safe online. Katherine has been working in, and with, schools for over 18 years to develop their understanding of online safety and support school leadership teams. During this workshop, Kat shares practical hints, tips and activities, and how parents can support healthy access to technology through parental controls (Qustodio). There is time for questions at the end.

November — IOS Deep Talks. Where are we headed?

5 November 2023

When: Nov 17 and Dec 01, 2023, 08:00 AM UK time, Zoom. Where are we headed? The first two IOS Deep Talk seminars of the academic year are open to all our Business Studies (IGCSE) students and anyone in the IOS and NSW community interested in business, finance and world markets. An opportunity to hear from an expert and ask questions.

If you are a prospective student or parent, please contact us by email to register interest in attending.

London meet-up: Tallest Tower Challenge, workshop, British Museum and Dickens’ Museum

23 September 2023

Another London meetup took place at a centrally located church, just a brief walk from the British Museum. The event began with teas and coffees. Jonathan shared a verse from 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, focusing on the significance of deeds prompted by faith.

One highlight was the tallest tower competition, using foil, marshmallows, spaghetti and other items. A student team won with a 147cm tower. There was a workshop for parents, and activities and icebreakers for students.

Later we explored the British Museum, tracing the biblical narrative from Abraham to Moses, touching on Nineveh, and finishing in the era of Jesus and Rome. A smaller group continued to the Dickens Museum, which tied in with Year 8 work on A Christmas Carol.

London meet-up: British Library treasures and bowling

22 July 2023

Immanuel Online students visited the British Library for an educational morning, seeing important historical artefacts and literary works in the context of a Christian worldview.

One highlight was the world's oldest complete bound New Testament. We also saw Shakespeare's first folio and Wycliffe's Bible, and books written hundreds of years ago about how Christianity came to England. Another significant artefact was Magna Carta, from 1215.

Lunch was beside the King George III book collection. Afterwards the students enjoyed a friendly bowling competition at Bloomsbury Lanes.

British Museum Event

11 October 2022

A group of Immanuel Online School Year 8 students, their families and a number of tutors travelled to the August meet-up in London, starting at Neal Street Espresso and continuing with a guided tour of biblical history in the British Museum. We were joined by Steve and Lyn Richards, who founded NSWLearning in 1999.

The group met for lunch and a short introductory talk at Neal Street Espresso in Covent Garden, a project run by the Message Trust: nealstreetespresso.com.

Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage London then led a tour through the Rosetta Stone, ancient Egypt, Abraham's era, Israel during the time of the kings, and the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, finishing in the Greco-Roman world with thoughts on the spread of the Gospel.

Immanuel Online School combines with NSWLearning

29 April 2022 · News

We are very pleased to announce that NSWLearning and Immanuel Online School have agreed to merge.

NSWLearning was launched by Steve and Lyn Richards as the first fully online secondary learning community in the United Kingdom in September 1999. Immanuel Online School is a Christian-ethos online school that began in 2021.

In combining the two, we seek to continue the legacy of NSWLearning and keep NSW courses available. NSWLearning and Immanuel Online School will administer NSW courses for current and new students from September 2022. Steve and Lyn continue as Educational Director and Administrative Director for the 2022–23 academic year, after which Immanuel Online School is responsible for the administration of all NSW courses.

If you have any questions about the merger, please contact us.

Christian Schools' Trust Conference

27 September 2021 · External event

The Christian Schools' Trust is holding an online education conference entitled ‘Further Up, Further In’ for Christian teachers and educationalists on 29–30 October 2021. Speakers include J. John. The title comes from The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis, in which the call to come further up and further in is made to those on the cusp of a great new adventure.

Lecture: Is there a place for Christianity in Education?

27 September 2021 · External event

The Association of Christian Teachers is hosting a 50th anniversary lecture on Monday 22 November 2021 (7:30 pm to 9:00 pm): Is there a place for Christianity in Education? An analysis of the shifting cultural sands of the past 50 years. The lecture is online and given by Alun Ebenezer, Executive Headmaster of The Fulham Boys School, London.