‘Modern’ primary opens its doors to the town

A new school with an alternative outlook on education has opened in Heaton Norris.

St James Independent School, on Belmont Road, opened in September and claims to offer a fresh approach to education, with study based on philosophy rather than a specific religion.

Robert McNeill, headteacher, said: “We want to develop the whole child and help them work in harmony with what is around us and with each other.

“We draw on any great works from the East and West including the Bible and Sanskrit”

The fledgling primary school is attempting to establish itself in Stockport, but concerns have been raised over the school’s links with an organisation called the School of Economic Science (SES).

The SES was subject of an expose’ book in 1985 called Secret Cult. Written by investigate journalists Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg, it claimed the organisation was secretive and destructive.

However, Mr McNeill claims much of criticism has been taken on board by the SES and the organisation has moved on since the 1980s.

He is now hoping a lecture, being held at the school this Saturday, will help address public concerns and help build links with the local community.

Mr McNeill said: “We are trying to get ourselves known and are certainly not hiding.

“We want to get away from what seemed fair criticism at the time and a public lecture is a clear way of doing that.”

The primary school is modelled on four St James schools, set up by the SES in London, and Mr McNeill claims positive inspection reports for these schools is evidence of the primary school’s potential.

“We have nothing to hide and are inviting as many people as possible to come and see what we are about.”

He added: “We are absolutely concerned with children’s happiness and nourishment spiritually, mentally and physically.”

However, cult watchdog FAIR (Family, Action, Information, Resource) has cast doubt over whether the organisation has changed.

FAIR secretary Audrey Chaytor said: “We have recently received calls from parents concerned about the school. The SES has never published anything to defend that book [Secret Cult]. Since the writing of the book the SES has kept a low profile and there is no reason to think they have changed.”

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