School pupils learn to meditate

By Melissa Jackson
BBC News education reporter

This is the school's temporary home

In our stress-filled world, how about a spot of meditation to start the day, which begins at 0845 and ends at 1230?

It might seem like a remote fantasy, but this is the routine for 60 primary school pupils who have been relocated to a global retreat centre since their school burnt down two weeks ago.

The centre is based in a listed, 18th century Palladian mansion, set in 55 acres of prime countryside, at Nuneham Courtney, just outside Oxford, with gardens landscaped by Capability Brown.

It is a world away from the Victorian village school they have been forced to vacate.

The fire and the aftermath had a huge impact on staff and pupils of Marsh Baldon Church of England primary school.

After the fire, there was a huge sense of loss, like a bereavement, some of the staff came to my house in tears Alison Barne, chair of board of governors

Board of governors chair Alison Barne said: "The whole episode was emotionally disruptive.

"After the fire, there was a huge sense of loss, like a bereavement, some of the staff came to my house in tears."

The pupils' thoughts echoed their teachers' anguish.

"My mum told me there was no school, and I thought, 'Cool' - but then I felt quite sad," said one boy.

"I was worried about where we were going to go and that we might all get split up and go to different schools," said a girl.

Education continuity

Head teacher Jo Capel Davies said: "The children have mixed feelings about the fire and some have mixed feelings about being here.

"Some of them want to get back to school now and some of the staff want to go back now and get back to normal."

But that is impossible.

One classroom was completely destroyed in the fire, with the loss of text books, course work and teaching aids.

Pupils like meditation

A second classroom, was so badly damaged, it is unlikely anything can be salvaged.

Other schools in the area have donated books and teaching materials to enable lessons to continue, although with a twist, courtesy of the retreat centre, which came to their rescue when they were made homeless.

Each day starts with a short burst of meditation, organised by a retreat centre member of staff. This can involve focusing on a subject like love or peace.

Mrs Capel Davies said: "I asked if the children could have five minutes of quiet time at the beginning of the day."

On the hour, every hour, the centre pipes 90 seconds of meditational music around the building to encourage everyone to take time out and reflect on other matters.

Parents' approval

The global retreat centre is administered by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, based in India.

Its regular students are strictly over 18 and attend courses to develop their "spiritual knowledge", which includes meditation and learning the benefits of stress-free living, self-esteem and positive thinking.

The organisation has no fixed religious leanings, although its roots are in the Hindu faith.

Parents were told 'they're not going to force anything on your children, they're not a strange religious group' Jo Capel Davies, head teacher

It may seem a bit outlandish, and one might expect parents to be slightly cautious about their children being exposed to a strange spiritual world, but it seems that is not the case.

Mrs Capel Davies said: "Parents were a bit curious about how it would work, but we had a meeting after the fire and an educational psychologist came along and the parents were told 'they're not going to force anything on your children, they're not a strange religious group'."

The children have also embraced the concept of meditation.

"It's nice and relaxing," said one girl.

"I think it makes me feel peaceful all day long," said another.

The centre has enjoyed helping the school through this difficult patch.

Sister Manda said: "A lot of people don't know what we do here, so it was nice to open our doors so that people could see for themselves.

"And parents haven't said anything about being nervous of our group ramming ideas down their throats."

Community support

The centre is two-and-a-half miles away from the school, which has caused a few problems for parents who do not have cars, but families have rallied round and a car-share scheme has swung into action.

Ending lessons half way through the day has also posed difficulties, especially for working parents, but this has prompted the local community to come to the rescue.

An "activity club" operates every afternoon in the village hall, which is attended by around 90% of pupils.

A coach collects the children from the centre at 1230 and takes them to the village hall where they have lunch and take part in various activities, including art, games and a homework club.

Lessons are continuing

It is organised by parents and friends of the school, who live in the village.

Although the fire has disrupted the lives of staff and pupils, it has encouraged a very positive attitude in the community.

Mrs Barne said: "I think the school has become stronger as a result of the fire and the community around the school has become stronger.

"It has put the school back into the heart of the community."

It is going to be hard to return to temporary classrooms on 21 March after experiencing such incredible surroundings, but they will not be leaving it all behind.

The head is keen to maintain some of the new approaches they have learned, including playing music throughout the school at the top of every hour, be it Mozart, Vivaldi, or whatever is most appropriate.

Maybe they will start a new trend.