St James Senior School for Boys Twickenham

[mercibien]

I know this is about to move to Ashford,Middx
Considering it for DS 10
Any one know anything about this school?
Google makes it seem a bit and

[cranbury]

why are you considering it. what are your other options? Have you read the good schools guide?

[amidaiwish]

i have only heard good things, have a couple of friends whose ds's go there
good academically
good pastorally
good sport

[MmeBlueberry]

I think they have an unusual ethos - spiritually speaking. Can't remember the details.

Are the senior boys taking over the old St David's property in Ashford. I had in the back of my mind that it was the junior but could well be wrong.

If you are in the Ashford area and are looking for a boys' school, there are not many choices.

[mercibien]

cranbury

Haven't looked at Good schools guide [embarassed] but considering Halliford, St George's and a few local state (Rydens, Heathside- but unlikely to get into latter)
I work over Ashford way

[MmeBlueberry]

Of the schools you have mentioned, St Georges is head and shoulders above the rest. The other school in the general area is Hampton.

Further up the A30 is Licensed Victuallers.

[iloveasylumseekers]

The Good Schools Guide is quite interesting on this. Definitely look into the ethos. Is it anthroposophy or something like that? Lots of meditation anyway (but then they do meditation and eastern based religious studies at Wellington College in their happiness curriculum, so....).

There is certainly a gap for a boys' school in the area, but not sure this will be the one for us when the time comes.

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

I know several boys who have gone there (old site) and they are very happy - have never heard anything negative.

[amidaiwish]

they are quite into reflective time (aka meditation) and calmness, but from what i hear that does the boys a world of good and creates a lovely supportive atmosphere, certainly was quite inspiring to many parents i know who considered it this year.

my sister went to St Georges, if you are talking about the one in weybridge, it was nothing special ime.

[amidaiwish]

i have just driven past it and the building is for sale.
where is the junior boys' site? i thought it was just a senior school?

[iloveasylumseekers]

The school, as I understand it, was founded in the 1970s by the School of Economic Science (they're the ones who run eastern style philosophy classes that they advertise on the tube) and most/all of the current governors are members of this School. There have been many allegations that the SES is actually a cult. The ethos of the school is mentioned many times on their website, so I think most parents who do send their children there will have considered these links and what implications that might have for the type of teaching that goes on.

www.andypryke.com/pub/SchoolOfEconomicScienceACult
www.ses-forums.org/viewforu m.php?f=7
www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/school%20abuse%20inquiry/162790

(I have no axe to grind btw other than I live locally and have two boys who will probably be educated privately, though GOK where!)

[mercibien]

ilove

thanks for those links
bit, crikey

[iloveasylumseekers]

There's actually a MN thread from 2005 too
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/96201-has-anyone-heard-about-the-link-between-st-james-school

[amidaiwish]

bloody hell...

[roadrunning]

Channel 4 News ran a special news report on St. James Independent Schools and the School of Economic Science.

You can see it at the link below

reference.ses-forums.org/?p=18

[KeithTalent]

There is a book by Clara Salaman about growing up in SES school.

It is worth a read if you are planning to send your son to St James.

[roadrunning]

There is another book about the School of Economic Science and St. James Independent Schools written by two Sunday Times journalists (Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg) entitled 'Secret Cult'.

It is available at amazon.com?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0856488372/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0D51SHHF2ZTZGXYD52D0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21