An unconventional school in a converted barn gets some of the best exam results in the country.
The Maharishi Free School in Lathom, near Skelmersdale, teaches “conscious-based” education, and each day is punctuated with two sessions of meditation.
Children are also consulted on major decisions made within the school.
Headteacher Ms Edwards says this is because it is important they feel their voice is heard.
Ms Edwards said: “What we have here is a harmonious school environment.
“We use consciousness-based learning to encourage development for students, not just in school but throughout their lives.
“Twice a day, everyone in the school will do a few minutes of meditation. It is simple, relaxing and enjoyable, and we find that afterwards, children are more open and receptive in lessons, as well as being more compassionate and empathetic.”
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The Maharishi School had been open for more than 25 years as a private school before it became a free school in September 2011.
Children from reception to Year 11 attend, with entire year groups in the same class, each made up of no more than 18 pupils.
Though it may differ from other education providers in a number of ways, students are still taught the national curriculum, and will sit SAT and GCSE exams.
In fact, Maharishi School’s 2019 results put them in the top 1.8% nationally.
Ms. Edwards continued: “We integrate the consciousness approach into lessons, so for example it may be that we discuss how we are layered.
“Our emotions are layered. We have layers, as people.
“And then we reiterate that in a science lesson, where you’re looking at the layers of a skin cell. Or in an English class with the layers of a poem.
“This is just one example but the way we teach is that everything is connected, and this in turn makes the children then feel more connected.”
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is the style used at the Maharishi School.
TM balances the senses, and achieving a state of calm, it is argued, helps to create well-balanced and happy children.
It seems to be working.
In its most recent school inspection, Ofsted reported: “The promotion of pupils’ spiritual and personal development is at the core of what this school does so well.
“Maharishi Free School pupils are good thinkers. They reflect on their world and try to see the world through other people’s eyes. This enables pupils to better understand their own experiences and those of others.
“Pupils are tolerant, considerate and empathetic. They are able to consider the impact of their actions on other people and on nature.
“They are ambitious, articulate, confident and engage very well with adults.”
