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The Maharishi School (Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment) is a non-academically selective school in Lathom, Lancashire, UK.

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. According an article in the Guardian, the school does not require students or their parents to learn TM. The principles of the "Science of Creative Intelligence", developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, are part of the school's curriculum. 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.

History

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

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.

In 2011, it was one of 24 schools that applied for and received government funding as a flagship free school. 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.

The school is considering opening a new branch in Woodbridge, Suffolk, in 2013. There is a community of TM practitioners in nearby Rendlesham.

Another Maharishi School is scheduled to open in 2013 at Oldfield House in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames. The location was chosen based on an enthusiastic response from the community.

Reception

The school's qualification for government funding was criticized by the The Lancashire branch of the National Union of Teachers who referred to it as 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 criticism said the school is run by an "independent charitable company" and that its Consciousness Based Education approach is non-religious and has no links to any political party. 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". 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".

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". The Department of Education spokesman, cited an Ofsted report which says the school provides an "outstanding education" and "will be open to all pupils of any or no faith" and "the Maharishi School, like all Free Schools, will enter pupils for the same exams as other state schools." According to the school's web site, Ofsted has rated the school as "outstanding" in 11 areas and reports its GCSE scores to be in the top 2.5 per cent for the entire country.

References

1. ^ BARRETT, DAVID (January 23, 2011). "Private schools enrol in Gove's state revolution". The Sunday Telegraph. p. 2.
2. ^ Byrne, Michael (September 1, 2011). "Maharishi School in Skelmersdale hits back over Free School status criticisms".
3. ^ 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.
6. Pattinson, Rob (September 8, 2011). "Parents back Maharishi School's move into state sector as a Free School".
7. "Party time at Maharishi school as it celebrates 21 years at top". Liverpool Echo. January 15, 2007. p. 13.
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. ^ SCHOFIELD, KEVIN (August 29, 2011). "Free Your Mind, Kids; Pupils Meditate at one of New Schools". The Sun.
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. ^ 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. Retrieved January 26, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
14. Newman, Cathy (September 5, 2011). "Channel 4 News FactCheck with Cathy Newman".
15. "Om Schooling;'Ridiculous' Gove Plan Sees State Fund Maharishi High" 'The Mirror' August 29, 2011.
16. "Meditation every day at the yogi's state school" Daily Mail (London) January 31, 2011.
17. Robinson, Craig (October 20, 2011). "Woodbridge: Free school based on teachings of The Beatles' spiritual guru could open soon". EADT.
18. 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.
19. Davis, Anna (14 November, 2011). "Free school to teach Beatles guru's meditation methods". London Evening Standard. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
20. Champion News, Maharishi school hits back at Lancashire NUT criticism, David Simister, Feb 19 2011
21. ^ Teed, Paul (November 19 2011) This is Local London
22. "Anger at schools cash fund". Wigan Today. September 11, 2011.

• Transcendental Meditation movement
• Schools in West Lancashire