Maharishi School

For other uses, see Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment.

Maharishi School
A school with a difference
Location
Lathom, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Information
Type	Independent School
Established	1986
Head teacher	Derek Cassells[1]
Enrollment	135[2]
Website	www.maharishischool.com/index.html

The Maharishi School (Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment)^[3][4] is a non-academically selective school in Lathom, Lancashire, UK.^[1][5]

Description

The school utilizes "Consciousness-based Education" and it's students may learn the Transcendental Meditation technique (TM) and practice it for three 10-minute sessions during the school day, which school officials say enables the students to be calmer, more focused and relaxed and improves their ability to learn.^[6][7][8][9] According an article in the Guardian, the school does not require students or their parents to learn TM.^[10][11] The principles of the "Science of Creative Intelligence", developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, are part of the school's curriculum.^[12] The school is located in a community that is in one of England's more affluent areas and is near a Transcendental Meditation movement community in Skelmersdale called Maharishi European Sidhaland.^[13][14]

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the Maharishi School was "outstanding in almost all categories" and that the school "has a strong record of high academic achievement".^[2] He cited an Ofsted report which says the school provides an "outstanding education" ^[2] and according to the school's web site, Ofsted reports its GCSE scores to be in the country's top 2.5 per cent. ^[15]

History

The school was founded in 1986 as an independent, fee-based school with 14 pupils.^[12]

In 2009, the student body numbered 70, ranging in age from four years to 16 and their General Certificate of Secondary Education scores were reported to be double the national average.^[3]

In 2011, it was one of 24 schools that applied for and received government funding as a flagship free school.^[16][2][17] At that time the school's tuition fee was GBP 7,620 for its secondary school students. According to the school's Head Teacher, Derek Cassells, free school status allows the school the potential to double its attendance while retaining its character. As of September 2011, 135 students were enrolled. ^[1][2]

In 2013, the school plans to open branch schools for 11 to 18 year old student, in Woodbridge, Suffolk and at Oldfield House in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames and expand by "one year group at a time, with 20 pupils in each year". ^[18][19]

There is a community of TM practitioners in nearby Rendlesham.^[20][21]

Reception

The school's 2011 qualification for government funding was criticized by the The Lancashire branch of the National Union of Teachers who called it the funding of the "education of the members of a religious sect" with links to a defunct political party. A spokesperson for the School responded to the criticism saying the school is run by an "independent charitable company" and its Consciousness Based Education approach is non-religious and has no links to any political party.^[22] Further criticism came in June 2011 from the Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, John Pugh, and the Liverpool city council leader, Joe Anderson, both of whom attacked the government for funding the Maharishi School while depriving funds from mainstream schools. Labor MP Lisa Nandy made similar complaints in August and the British Humanist Association (BHA) voiced concerns about the school's "spiritual and 'pseudoscientific' teaching".^{[9] [15]} The school's headmaster, Cassells, said: "We bring a balanced curriculum and all we do is introduce a few minutes of mediation three times a day".^[23] A Department of Education spokeman said "the Maharishi School, like all Free Schools, will enter pupils for the same exams as other state schools" and "will be open to all pupils of any or no faith"^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} BARRETT, DAVID (January 23, 2011). "Private schools enrol in Gove's state revolution". The Sunday Telegraph: p. 2. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Byrne, Michael (September 1, 2011). "Maharishi School in Skelmersdale hits back over Free School status criticisms". http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2011/09/01/maharishi-school-in-skelmersdale-hits-back-over-free-school-status-criticisms-80904-29336217/2/. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Atkins, Lucy (April 14, 2009). "G2: Health: Should our schools teach children to 'dive within'?". The Guardian: p. 18. 
4. ^ Wilson, Richard (March 16, 2008). "I want to teach the world to meditate". Sunday Times: p. 10. 
5. ^ "Where Free Schools are located in Britain". The Telegraph, Education News. September 12, 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8752724/Where-free-schools-are-located-in-Britain.html. 
6. ^ Pattinson, Rob (September 8, 2011). "Parents back Maharishi School's move into state sector as a Free School". http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2011/09/08/parents-back-maharishi-school-s-move-into-state-sector-as-a-free-school-80904-29380474/. 
7. ^ "Party time at Maharishi school as it celebrates 21 years at top". Liverpool Echo: p. 13. January 15, 2007. 
8. ^ Gilbert, Francis (March 7, 2011). "New schools of thought; Alternative schools are enjoying a renaissance - but what sort of education do they offer?". The Times (London (UK)): p. 10. 
9. ^ ^{a b} SCHOFIELD, KEVIN (August 29, 2011). "Free Your Mind, Kids; Pupils Meditate at one of New Schools". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3780518/Free-your-mind-kids.html. 
10. ^ MARTIN, THOMAS (June 15, 2011). "YOGI SCHOOL WINS AS CITY LOSES OUT; Anger over cash aid for 'free school'". Liverpool Echo (Liverpool (UK)): p. 13. 
11. ^ For the record | From the Observer | The Observer Michael Gove's free schools will be for the middle class, claim opponents | Education | The Observer Guardian, For the Record, June 19, 2011. Retrieved June 2011.
12. ^ ^{a b} Teasdale, Michelle (June 3, 2010). "Mummy, can we meditate now?". The Independent: p. 52. 
13. ^ "Maharishi European Sidhaland". maharishi-european-sidhaland.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2010-07-31. http://www.maharishi-european-sidhaland.org.uk/. Retrieved January 26, 2011. 
14. ^ Newman, Cathy (September 5, 2011). "Channel 4 News FactCheck with Cathy Newman". http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/factcheck-will-free-schools-serve-the-deprived-masses-or-the-privileged-few/7682. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Teed, Paul (November 19 2011) This is Local London
16. ^ "Om Schooling;'Ridiculous' Gove Plan Sees State Fund Maharishi High" 'The Mirror' August 29, 2011.
17. ^ "Meditation every day at the yogi's state school" Daily Mail (London) January 31, 2011.
18. ^ Robinson, Craig (October 20, 2011). "Woodbridge: Free school based on teachings of The Beatles’ spiritual guru could open soon". EADT. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/woodbridge_free_school_based_on_teachings_of_the_beatles_spiritual_guru_could_open_soon_1_1103322. 
19. ^ Robinson, Craig (November 20 2011) EADT 24
20. ^ Clark, Ross (25 March 2007). "Transcendental HABITATION ; Om sweet omas the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi inspires an estate that's aligned with the rest of the universe. It's not as nutty as it sounds...". Mail on Sunday (London (UK)): p. 8. 
21. ^ Davis, Anna (14 November, 2011). "Free school to teach Beatles guru's meditation methods". London Evening Standard. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009498-free-school-to-teach-beatles-gurus-meditation-methods.do. 
22. ^ [1] Champion News, Maharishi school hits back at Lancashire NUT criticism, David Simister, Feb 19 2011
23. ^ "Anger at schools cash fund". Wigan Today. September 11, 2011. http://www.wigantoday.net/news/education/anger_at_school_s_cash_fund_1_3739155.