News and Events

The video below is just a bumper film with a few quick highlights from the weekend.

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.

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 which was amazingly in a location just North of London. Here is a video showcasing some of the highlights.

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 all in the beautiful setting of Otford Manor. Here is a video showcasing some of the highlights.

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.

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.

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.
Please click here to register

When: Nov 16, 2023 07:30 PM, Zoom. Click here for more info and click the link on the Facebook page to register. Seminar on the importance of keeping your child safe online. A generous offer from Qustodio (via IOS link provided in the seminar) for up to two devices for FREE. We have invited Katherine Howard from Smoothwall to talk to us about how we can keep our children and young people safe online. Katherine Howard has been working in, and with, schools for over 18 years to develop their understanding of Online Safety and support school leadership teams to implement and embed policies, procedures, training and committees.
She is passionate about the importance of online safety in school communities and provides advice and support on a day-to-day basis. During this workshop, Kat will give you lots of practical hints, tips and activities to support your young people in this environment. She will also discuss how, as parents, we can support our children and young people with healthy access to the technology through the use of parental controls. (Qustodio)
There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end

When: Nov 17 and Dec 01, 2023 08:00AM 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 any others in the IOS/NSW community that are interested in business, finance and world markets. An exciting opportunity to hear from an expert and ask questions. More to come - watch this space! Note: If you are a prospective student/parent please contact us via email to register interest in attending this event.

Another London meetup took place at a centrally located church, just a brief walk from the British Museum. The day was marked by a series of engaging activities and thoughtful discussions. The event began with a casual introduction over a spread of teas and coffees. Jonathan shared a verse from Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, focusing on the significance of "deeds prompted by faith" and the subsequent blessings that follow.
One of the highlights of the day was the "tallest tower" competition, where participants were tasked with creating the tallest structure using foil, marshmallows, spaghetti, and other assorted items. A student team managed to secure the win with an impressive 147cm tower. Following the competition, there was a workshop and an opportunity for parents to share their insights and experiences. Simultaneously, students gathered in the cafe area for a series of activities and icebreakers.
Later in the afternoon, we explored the British Museum, tracing the biblical narrative from Abraham to Moses, touching on Nineveh, and culminating in the era of Jesus and Rome. The artifacts provided a tangible connection to the stories we're familiar with.
A select group of families continued the day with a visit to the Dickens Museum. With Year 8 students currently immersed in their studies of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," the visit offered a practical dimension to their learning. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and new connections made throughout the day.

In our most recent London meetup, Immanuel Online students visited the British Library for an educational morning. During the visit, they had the opportunity to see important historical artefacts and literary works in the context of a Christian worldview.

One of the highlights of the tour was the world's oldest complete bound New Testament, a manuscript of great historical and religious significance. The students got a chance to observe and learn about the preservation of ancient texts and their cultural importance.

We also saw Shakespeare's first folio and Wycliffe's Bible, and also had the chance to explore books written hundreds of years ago, detailing how Christianity came to England!

Another significant artefact they saw was the Magna Carta, a vital legal document from 1215 that laid the foundation for individual rights and the rule of law. The students gained insights into its historical relevance and impact on modern governance.

Additionally, they had the privilege of having lunch with a truly fabulous view - the King George III book collection, an esteemed three-story compilation of valuable literary works. It certainly made for good conversation!

After the visit to the British Library, the students enjoyed a friendly bowling competition at Bloomsbury Lanes, complete with cheesy nachos and drinks.

A group of Immanuel Online School Year 8 students, their families and a number of tutors travelled from near and far to attend the August meet-up in London which included a first stop at Neal Street Espresso followed by a fantastic guided tour of Biblical history in the British Museum. We were joined by special guests, 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. This cafe is a great project run by the Message Trust, which you can learn more about here: https://nealstreetespresso.com/

We then walked the short distance to the British Museum (taking in the sights along the way) for a tour led by Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage London. We enjoyed the journey through time as we looked at the Rosetta Stone, the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt and walked through the cultures of Abraham's Sumaria, Israel during the time of the kings and the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires. Ben reflected on the faith of Abraham, the constant lure of idolatry and the work of God in the history of Israel. We finished in the Greco-Roman world with thoughts on the spread of the Gospel into the Gentile world. After a full afternoon of activity and a great chance to meet fellow students and tutors!

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 new venture in Christian-ethos online education that began in 2021.

In combining NSWLearning and Immanuel Online School, we seek to continue the legacy of NSWLearning and maintain the future provision of NSW courses for students. By working together we believe we can strengthen and develop online secondary education with Christian values in the United Kingdom and internationally.

NSWLearning and Immanuel Online School will work together to administer NSW courses for current and new students from September 2022.

Steve and Lyn will continue in their roles as Educational Director and Administrative Director for the 2022-23 academic year, after which Immanuel Online School will be responsible for the administration of all NSW courses.

If you have any queries or questions about the merger, please do not hesitate to contact us.