St. James Day Schools Internationally:
(For children aged 4½ upwards)
In 1975, after studying what the wise had to say about the principles of education, a group of teachers in London established the St James Preparatory School, to offer an academic education in which philosophy plays its part in shaping the pupil's values and aspirations. Today there are over 600 pupils attending in London. Other schools using St James as an example have opened in London, Leeds, Manchester, Dublin, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, New York, Trinidad and Johannesburg.
The founder of the School of Economic Science, Leon MacLaren, also founded St James Schools to provide for the spiritual, mental and physical development of children. The syllabus is at once innovative and traditional. At its finest, the tradition of European education has united three vital strands: a live spiritual tradition, grounding in classical languages, and an understanding of service to community and nation. St James endeavours to adhere to the spirit of these principles and set them in a form appropriate to today's world. The spiritual base is a philosophy which acknowledges the validity of all faiths, seeing them as diverse paths to a single goal, and seeks to identify and practice their common principles. Study of scripture is given a central place in the school. The grounding in classics is achieved by the early introduction of Sanskrit, which is at the root of all European Languages and is a key to their mastery. This provides not only a sound grammatical base but access to the extraordinary riches, in terms of literature, art, architecture, drama, philosophy and science, of the Ancient World.
As to service, the School teaches that life is fulfilling to the extent that it is useful to others, and that happiness is found in helping to make others happy. The central idea behind the foundation of these schools was expressed by the founder, Leon MacLaren, as follows:-
- Give children information of the simple principles of spiritual knowledge, knowledge of the universe, mankind, and the individual's relationship thereto;
- Remind the child of the essential human duties; to remember the Creator, to live according to the fine laws of the universe, and to find the way back to God;
- Give disciplined practice in spiritual, mental and physical fields, including training in appropriate skills.
The curriculum is suitable to today's world. Following appropriate grounding at the primary stage, boys and girls take a broad spread of subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Music, Art and Drama are strongly emphasised throughout because of their unique contribution to the development of creative and emotional power. Sport, physical activity and team games are given their traditional importance, not only to care for physical development, e.g. strength, speed, agility and grace of movement, but also to promote a strong competitive spirit combined with sportsmanship and fair play. The development of pupils is naturally regulated by love and discipline, as a pot is shaped by the two hands of a potter. One hand works from the inside to support expansion; this is the hand of love. The other works from the outside to regulate and control; this is the hand of discipline. Both are necessary, in just the right measure. It is this balance of love and discipline which makes human development possible. The blend of these elements, which look after the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical development of children, is designed to produce young adults that are confident, open-hearted, fair-minded and willing to be of use in the world.
Teachers from all these schools meet for a week during August each year to refresh their subjects and deepen their understanding of how they can provide a true and substantial education that can set the foundation for freedom. Teachers are a cornerstone of St. James Preparatory School. No child can learn anything worthwhile without respecting the teacher. Following the example of those they respect and love is one of the strong qualities in young children.
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