Ed: Hampton is renowned for quality schools. We have arguably two of the best senior independent schools in the country, excellent prep schools and a state infant school with an outstanding reputation. Do we need another school?

Richard: Richmond Council are projecting that the shortage of secondary school places by 2015 will be even more acute than the existing shortage of primary school places today.  This lack of secondary school places shows no sign of abating. The current demand for primary school places, particularly in Hampton, which has been termed a ‘black hole’ in relation to this issue, has meant that parents rarely get their first or second choice of school, and frequently have to send their children miles away. This need for primary school places is evolving through into secondary education, and it will mean that there will be an extreme shortage of secondary places. Our last OFSTED report showed that we were outstanding in 11 areas, including being outstanding overall. Since 1990 our results have indicated that we have 3 times the national average of A and A* grades, and almost double the national average of 5 A-C grades. This is in a non-selective school. Therefore we really can bring quality education to Richmond, at a time when Richmond will become very short of places.

Ed: One of the principles of the Maharishi school is transcendental meditation. What is transcendental meditation and how will it benefit my child?

Richard: The reason that we can get outstanding results from ordinary kids is because of the benefits they receive from the twice-daily practice of transcendental meditation. Scientific research has proven that when children practice T M their brainwave coherence, their orderliness, becomes greater. They think and feel more clearly. We call the state that they achieve while practising T M ‘restful alertness’. The body and the individuals’ physiology is in a balanced, rested state, but the mind becomes even more alert that it is usually. These qualities grow over time, so that the child feels this way even after the meditation is over. The result is that the child becomes more receptive to what they are learning, is more interested in their subjects, and achieves better results.

Ed: Is there any proof that transcendental meditation works?

Richard: There have been over 200 published, peer-reviewed scientific studies proving the effectiveness of T M in improving academic performance. These studies have appeared in the world’s leading journals, such as ‘The International Journal of Neuro-Science’, which has 2 Nobel laureates on its board, and esteemed scientists from universities on every continent. That publication has published about a dozen studies on T M and how it helps people think more clearly. It improves the way the brain functions by creating more balance within the mind. Other studies have gone on to establish whether there is a definite link between T M and improved school results – even in completely randomised and blind studies it has been proved that it does.

Ed: How does the Maharishi School differ from a faith school?

Richard: You can learn and practice T M whether you believe it or not. It is a completely non-faith, non-belief oriented technique. At the existing Maharishi School we have Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Christian children, as well as children from agnostic and non-faith backgrounds. In every case it makes no difference – each child benefits to the same degree.   

Ed: Will the Maharishi School be teaching other faiths?

Richard: As a state-maintained school we have to have Religious Education on the curriculum, which has to be ‘mainly Christian in nature’. We will look at every one of the major religions, and give children an understanding of their belief systems, values and philosophies. In addition we also plan to invite representatives from each of the main religions, and have them do a presentation to the children, so that they can see first-hand what these religions are about.      

Ed: Finally, if a parent was considering sending their child to the Maharishi school but wasn’t yet totally convinced, what would you say to them?

Richard: Come to a presentation, visit our website www.maharishischool.com, or just call 0800 181 4886 to find out more. If there is one common trait among the parents of our pupils it is that they tend to be better informed about their child’s education. The more you know about the Maharishi school the more likely you are to send your child there.