Peaceful School Pioneers
'Establishing lasting peace is the work of education: all politics can do is keep us out of war.' Maria Montessori
St James Senior Boys’ School
St James Senior Boys’ School in Ashford Middlesex, must be one of the most peaceful secondary schools in the country!
Here’s a flavour of the school from an extract from the Headmaster’s message on their website: ‘Within every boy there is a brilliance and perfection waiting to be uncovered. This discovery is the essence of the St James education and is an approach of significant appeal to many who are looking for something substantial and lasting for their sons. For many years we have asked of parents the question: "What kind of man do you want your son to be?" In the wake of momentous change to the economic, social and political condition of the nation, such a question is even more relevant when choosing a Senior School and is one reason why over recent years we have experienced unprecedented demand. Our belief is that a complete education should work to ignite each boy's inner being, which is full of love and reason, allowing him the space to release those divine forces which constitute his creative power. We also seek to ensure he understands that behind the delightful array of talents, personality, race, culture and religion is a single force of consciousness; a force which we all share. This is at the heart of what we call the Philosophy of Oneness.’
Website: http://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorboys/
Consciousness Based Education
A programme offered by the Maharishi Foundation for stress free schools and academic excellence. It is said to improve achievement within schools along with developing inner happiness and confidence and reducing stress and anxiety. This ultimately creates a harmonious working environment for both children and staff.
Maharishi Foundation, Maharishi Golden Dome, Woodley Park Road, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 6UQ
Tel: Felicity Kaplan 01394 421084 or 01394 420634
e-mail: enquiries@consciousnessbasededucation.org.uk
Website: www.consciousnessbasededucation.org.uk
Website: www.tmeducation.org/
Maharishi School
Believes in creating peaceful and harmonious atmospheres for children in order to increase their concentration levels. Creativity and Intelligence are systematically developed with a few minutes of Transcendental Meditation at the beginning and end of every school day. Ofsted has reported that the school provides an outstanding quality of education for all pupils that is well tailored to their individual needs.
Maharishi School, Cobbs Brow Lane, Lathom, L40 6JJ
Tel: 01695 729912
e-mail: enquiries@maharishischool.com
Website: www.maharishischool.com
Brockwood Park School, Nr Alresford, Hampshire
A private school and is based on the teachings of J. Krishnamurti the educator, philosopher. Founded in 1969, the school has around 65 students, aged 14 and over. Brockwood recognises that the young are inheriting a complex world where rapid technological progress goes hand in hand with environmental, social and political crises. Brockwood Park is known for its secure and friendly surroundings and students are encouraged to reflect on their own thoughts and feelings and actions and on those of others. Krishnamurti on Education states that ‘Education is not merely the acquisition of technical knowledge, but the understanding with sensitivity and intelligence of the whole problem of living…. The whole structure of human existence.’
Brockwood Park School, Bramdean, Nr Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0LQ
Tel: 01962 771744
e-mail: admin@brockwood.org.uk
Steiner Education
Steiner Education is based on the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, social thinker, architect and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he founded a new spiritual movement, Anthroposophy, as an esoteric philosophy growing out of European transcendentalist roots with links to Theosophy. The first Steiner school opened in Stuttgart in 1919 for children of workers at the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory. Steiner Education works for all children irrespective of academic ability, class, ethnicity or religion; takes account of the needs of the whole child, including the soul qualities of the child; is based on an understanding of the relevance of the different phases of child development and develops a love of learning and an enthusiasm for school.
Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship Ltd, Kidbrooke Park, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JA
Tel: 01342 822115
e-mail: mail@swsf.org.uk
Website: www.steinerwaldorf.org/contact.html
St Francis of Assisi Academy, Liverpool
The Academy of St Francis of Assisi represents the culmination of many years of a developing relationship between the Catholic and Anglican denominations in Liverpool, and was the first joint denominational secondary school in England. The 900-place academy is in Kensington, one of the most deprived wards in Liverpool. The school is part of the government’s academy programme and as such is a state funded independent school. The sponsors contributed £2m, with remainder coming from the then DfES.
The academy has the environment as its specialism and therefore the attractive school building is a model of sustainability and provides educational opportunities within that topic….with features such as open air spaces linked to each classroom.
