What I find interesting is the way that the present St. James school
can deny all links with the SES.
I can think of countless links, and don't know how they can continue
to profess otherwise. The schools themselves were founded by the head
of the SES- 'founder's day' is still celebrated, but not a word of
the origins of the school on the Web site (I haven't found it yet
anyway, do correct me if I'm wrong).
The sixth form are required to attend a meeting offering them the
chance to ask questions to Mr. Lambie, the head of SES, and are given
the chance to join. The process if you enter the school here concerns
a ceremony which initiates the girls into the school.
The new headmaster is a prominant member of SES, Mr. Boddy. How they
can explain his appearance in the school (day school), having been
appointed by a board of largely SES governors, and still deny the
links with SES, I do not know.
Any thoughts?

**********Moderator's Note**********
Yes, the grounds on which Mr. Boddy has been appointed is questionable. This may
be related to the element of "class" associated with the SES, Mr. Boddy having
been former press adviser to Margaret Thatcher and one-time director of public
relations for the Conservative Party. Of course, he has also handled press
relations for the SES, of which he has been a member for over 20 years.

The moderator(s) of this board disapprove of the intricate link between the SES
and the day schools. Many say that this link is what gives the schools their
unique nature, but if the principles of the SES are so natural, then surely,
armed with prudence, such a close connection with the SES is not required? As
the author of the above message rightly claims, there is a great deal of masking
the closeness of the SES and the day schools. Indeed, I do not think it a
coincidence that two experienced teachers in one of the schools left in
consecutive years, as neither were members of the SES.

In order to teach abroad in an SES-affiliated day school, one must be a member
of the SES, yet (apparently) this is not a prerequisite for past pupils teaching
in St. James. This gives a mixed message. Advertisements for St. James
(including, for example, "What kind of a man do you want your son to be?" [a
drug addict perhaps?]) in popular newspapers do not mention the link between St.
James and the SES. The SES lacks transparency, opting for the "try it and see it
if it works" answer in reply to in-depth questions. The moderator(s) believe
that the end result of 'practical philosophy' obtained from the SES can be
achieved by other means such as good interpretation of religion. That is not
meant to be a compliment of 'practical philosophy' offered by the SES - rather,
it is meant to highlight the fact that time is better spent living than talking
about living (the SES gets round this by claiming that time is saved by joining
the SES because it makes you a more efficient person!?!).