The School of Life

I first came across The School of Life when a friend recommended one of their courses. The evening class on "How to find the job you love" is one of their best sellers and well worth visiting for anyone caught in the rate race. Whether you are looking to change careers or just hoping to get more out of your existing work situation, everyone comes out of the class refreshed and motivated. Lovely nibbles and wine are served throughout the evening and prevent the classes from feeling too much like "proper" school. There is a strong element of interaction, and it is great meeting other pupils in similar mindsets.
Just one visit instilled a massive level of trust in me, and I didn't hesitate long when the offer of a cycling weekend in South Wales was announced. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the experience exceeded any possible expectations! The group was led by Rob Penn ("It's all about the bike") and based in the beautiful Gliffaes Hotel in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The cycling routes were designed to suit all levels of fitness and experience and everyone in our group of ten had a wonderful experience. Some brought our own bikes, others had hire bikes prepared for them. We were extremely well looked after. Not only with food and drink, but also with poem readings over picnic and a slide show of Rob's cycling trip around the world.
The muscle aches will subside, but the memories of a most perfect weekend will remain.
It won't be long before my return to school, there's so much else to discover and explore.

Philosophy made practical. The School of Life is a wonderous little place, providing courses for the curious in such important topics as Love, Work, Play and Family. These core classes take in a range of activities, from lectures to individual and group exercises and even Freudian analysis.

Alongside this key activity they also have "Sermons" where once a month an expert gives a lecture on some esoteric topic; "Holidays" where the participants are guided through the streets of London in order to learn more about the topic, be it for writers, photographers or some other creative outlet. Meals are an interesting way to meet and communicate with others, providing a menu of conversation topics to get things going, and the breakfasts are a healthy and inspiring way to start the day.

There is also a small bookshop upstairs covering these topic areas and the overall feel of the place is one of fun learning.

A new and innovative venture opened this summer, the School for Life is a centre for courses and a small bookshop focusing on enhancing life through philosophy. It hosts talks by thinkers such as Alain de Boton (popular philosopher) and Tom Hodgkinson (renowned Idler), runs courses on wide and unusual sunjects such as how to enjoy Heathrow terminal five (?!), guerilla gardening, and family life. It also offers a “bibliotherapy” service, whereby you learn which books might suit your personal needs, and hosts dinner parties with strangers where interesting topics are discussed…