Carmel College alumni are known as "Old Carmelis"; in 1973 the school was referred to as the "Jewish Eton"[1] by The Observer correspondent, Chaim Bermant.

The sale was overturned by the Charity Commission, however, following significant pressure from parents and former students who claimed the land was undersold.

The distinctive concrete synagogue, with its stained glass windows created by Israeli artist Nehemia Azaz, the dining hall, and the amphitheatre, designed by local architect Thomas Hancock, are Grade II listed buildings; the Julius Gottlieb gallery and boathouse, designed by Sir Basil Spence, is Grade II* listed.

[7] The school grounds in Mongewell Park[2] had the straightest run of the River Thames flowing past it, and Oxford University made full use of this during their preparation for the annual Boat Race.

[citation needed] The headmaster's study was also the room used for the final briefing of the reconnaissance mission following the Dam Busters raid.

A scene in the 2011 film The Iron Lady, where Margaret Thatcher is perfecting her prime-ministerial voice, was shot on location in the synagogue of Carmel College.

In the 2016 film, Mindhorn, the Carmel College synagogue is used as the location for scenes depicting the exterior and interior of fictional civic hall offices on the Isle of Man (approx timestamp 00:53:40 and 01:08:40).

The science fiction film, Annihilation (2018), starring Natalie Portman, uses the Carmel College swimming pool and other areas for scenes involving the Fort Amaya military base (approx timestamp 00:42:05-00:49:05).