| Established | 1975 |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent school |
| Religion | Non-denominational |
| Founder | Leon MacLaren |
| Location | Three schools on different sites in London England |
| Students | 800 (approx.) |
| Ages | 4–18 |
| Website | www.stjamesschools.co.uk |
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.
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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 (ISA).[1] 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).
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.
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 Watson was an alumna of the school.
Although the St James' Schools are legally independent from the School of Economic Science 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.
In the early 80s the London Evening Standard 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[2], 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[3] "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".[4]
The School of Economic Science, through associated overseas schools, supports independent children's schools in a number of countries, including in Australia, 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.
St Vedasts School for Boys, at Sarum Chase, in West Heath Road, Hampstead, London,[5] was sold in January 2005, for £9,300,000.[6][7] The building is now a private residence.[8]