St James Independent Schools
Encyclopedia
St James' Independent Schools in London
(UK) are three private schools for children aged 4 to 18. The juniors' and senior girls' schools are in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
and the senior boys' school in Ashford
, Surrey
.
St James' is an independent charitable school. It is an activity of the Independent Educational Association Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, with UK charitable status. All three schools are members of the Independent Schools Association
(ISA). The senior boys’ school is also a member of the Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools
(SHMIS), and the senior girls’ school of the Girls' Schools Association
(GSA).
was an alumna of the school.
they continue a close association with it, seeking to preserve the ethos of its philosophical principles. These are derived from the Advaita Vedanta
philosophical tradition, which the schools describe as encompassing the concept of unity, and of a multicultural approach which embraces all faiths – and no faith.
SES philosophy is taught and transcendental meditation is practiced in the schools.
Subsequent to the Inquiry (see 'Criticisms' below), the schools have produced a booklet, Answer to Frequently Asked Questions, in which they describe their relationship with the School of Economic Science.
newspaper ran a critical series of articles focusing on the School’s discipline regime and its links to the School of Economic Science
.
In January 2006 an independent inquiry, chaired by James Townend QC and funded by the schools, published its report into mistreatment of pupils between 1975 and 1985 at St James' and its then sister school St Vedast, which closed in 1985. The findings of the report concluded that 'mental and physical mistreatment' of some pupils had occurred, including 'criminal assaults' by teachers, during the ten year period considered by the Inquiry. Mr Townend's report also found that throughout this period the schools’ management and governors were failing to the extent that they 'were not in any real sense in charge of the Schools'.
The Townend inquiry was instigated by the schools and the terms of reference were set by the then Governing body. They recognised the need for openness and transparency; many found it helpful, a few felt it limited.
In September 2007 three of the teachers named in the report worked at the schools, although this has changed. Following internal disciplinary hearings two of the three teachers were given a formal warning.
In Mr Townend's conclusion he stated there has been 'a real change of ethos and conduct of the schools' since the period of abuses he identified in his report.
The actress Clara Salaman
has published a novel "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".
, New Zealand
, Bangladesh Ireland
(John Scottus School), the West Indies and the United States
. In the UK there is the Alcuin school in Leeds
, and St James' primary school in Stockport
near Manchester.
The Education Renaissance Trust, a UK registered charity, was founded by the SES in 1998, with the aim to make their 'philosophy of education based on spiritual values available more widely'. The ERT provides support and funding for the St James "schools' worldwide, and currently runs inset training days for teachers in UK state schools. The Chair of this charitable Trust is Nicholas Debenham.
, in West Heath Road, Hampstead, London, was sold in January 2005, for £9,300,000. The building is now a private residence.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(UK) are three private schools for children aged 4 to 18. The juniors' and senior girls' schools are in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a London borough in West London, and forms part of Inner London. Traversed by the east-west main roads of the A4 Great West Road and the A40 Westway, many international corporations have offices in the borough....
and the senior boys' school in Ashford
Ashford
Ashford is a relatively common English placename: it goes back to Old English æscet, indicating a ford near a clump of ash trees. It may refer to:-Places:In Australia:*Ashford, New South Wales*Ashford, South Australia...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
History
The schools have grown from 40 pupils when they were founded in 1975 to over 800 pupils today.St James' is an independent charitable school. It is an activity of the Independent Educational Association Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, with UK charitable status. All three schools are members of the Independent Schools Association
Independent Schools Association (UK)
The Independent Schools Association is an organisation of independent schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1879, it is one of the country's oldest such groups. It is a constituent association of the Independent Schools Council, and has a membership of around 300 schools...
(ISA). The senior boys’ school is also a member of the Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools
Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools
The Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools is an association of Headmasters and Headmistresses of various types of independent schools in the United Kingdom, and was formed in 1961...
(SHMIS), and the senior girls’ school of the Girls' Schools Association
Girls' Schools Association
The Girls' Schools Association is the professional association of the heads of independent girls' schools in the UK and overseas and is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council .-History:...
(GSA).
Academic performance
Both senior schools achieve exam results above the national average. Since 1996, around 10% of all school leavers have gone on to Oxford or Cambridge.Notable former pupils
There are 150 sons and daughters of old boys and old girls at the schools. Seventeen members of the existing staff were pupils. St James' has a thriving alumni Association that also helps fundraise for the schools. Actress, Emily WatsonEmily Watson
Emily Watson is an English actress. She gave an acclaimed debut film performance in Lars von Trier's Breaking the Waves.- Early life :...
was an alumna of the school.
Connection with the School of Economic Science
Although the St James' Schools are legally independent from the School of Economic ScienceSchool of Economic Science
The School of Economic Science , a registered charity based in Mandeville Place, near Oxford Street in London, provides courses in what it calls "Practical Philosophy" and "Economics with Justice". The courses are based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which sees an underlying unity in...
they continue a close association with it, seeking to preserve the ethos of its philosophical principles. These are derived from the Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
philosophical tradition, which the schools describe as encompassing the concept of unity, and of a multicultural approach which embraces all faiths – and no faith.
SES philosophy is taught and transcendental meditation is practiced in the schools.
Subsequent to the Inquiry (see 'Criticisms' below), the schools have produced a booklet, Answer to Frequently Asked Questions, in which they describe their relationship with the School of Economic Science.
Criticisms
In the early 80s the London Evening StandardEvening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
newspaper ran a critical series of articles focusing on the School’s discipline regime and its links to the School of Economic Science
School of Economic Science
The School of Economic Science , a registered charity based in Mandeville Place, near Oxford Street in London, provides courses in what it calls "Practical Philosophy" and "Economics with Justice". The courses are based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which sees an underlying unity in...
.
In January 2006 an independent inquiry, chaired by James Townend QC and funded by the schools, published its report into mistreatment of pupils between 1975 and 1985 at St James' and its then sister school St Vedast, which closed in 1985. The findings of the report concluded that 'mental and physical mistreatment' of some pupils had occurred, including 'criminal assaults' by teachers, during the ten year period considered by the Inquiry. Mr Townend's report also found that throughout this period the schools’ management and governors were failing to the extent that they 'were not in any real sense in charge of the Schools'.
The Townend inquiry was instigated by the schools and the terms of reference were set by the then Governing body. They recognised the need for openness and transparency; many found it helpful, a few felt it limited.
In September 2007 three of the teachers named in the report worked at the schools, although this has changed. Following internal disciplinary hearings two of the three teachers were given a formal warning.
In Mr Townend's conclusion he stated there has been 'a real change of ethos and conduct of the schools' since the period of abuses he identified in his report.
The actress Clara Salaman
Clara Salaman
Clara Salaman is an actress based in Britain.She is known for playing the role of DS Claire Stanton in the long running ITV drama The Bill....
has published a novel "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".
Other SES-supported schools worldwide
The School of Economic Science, through associated overseas schools, supports independent children's schools in a number of countries, including in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Bangladesh Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(John Scottus School), the West Indies and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In the UK there is the Alcuin school in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, and St James' primary school in Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
near Manchester.
The Education Renaissance Trust, a UK registered charity, was founded by the SES in 1998, with the aim to make their 'philosophy of education based on spiritual values available more widely'. The ERT provides support and funding for the St James "schools' worldwide, and currently runs inset training days for teachers in UK state schools. The Chair of this charitable Trust is Nicholas Debenham.
Former schools
St Vedasts School for Boys, at Sarum ChaseSarum Chase
Sarum Chase is a Grade II listed neo-Tudor mansion, at 23 West Heath Road, Hampstead, London, described by Nicholas Pevsner as "pure Hollywood Tudor". It was built in 1932 as the home and studio of portrait artist Frank O. Salisbury. The word Sarum is the old name for the town of Salisbury. The...
, in West Heath Road, Hampstead, London, was sold in January 2005, for £9,300,000. The building is now a private residence.