In January of 1969, three educators and two teenage students moved into a cold, slightly neglected Georgian manor house and set about cleaning and renovating it, and so began Brockwood Park School. They were assisted by volunteers and well-wishers and by the beginning of the new academic year in September, the school had grown to over 20 residents. These simple beginnings belie the careful thinking and planning about the creation of a Krishnamurti School in Europe, which had been occurring for a number of years. Krishnamurti had already founded successful schools in India and now a resurgence of interest in his teachings meant that concerned parents and educators were ready for such a venture.

Brockwood was to be a very different school from the outset, with all its uncommon elements integral to the whole. The school would not operate for financial gain, nor would it be supported by the state; it would depend on fees and donations by those who felt the value of what was occurring there. Wherever needed and possible, bursaries would be provided for deserving students. All residential members of staff – whether academic, gardening, kitchen, office, maintenance – would receive the same modest salary and have the same basic responsibility as educators. The task of coordinating the whole was assumed by the principal/s, but important decisions were only to be taken after full discussion by staff and students.

The Founder

J. Krishnamurti

J. Krishnamurti (1895-1986) had a passion for inquiry and the pursuit of truth. His numerous books explore the nature of human consciousness and the possibility of its transformation through inquiry and insight. Krishnamurti engaged in dialogue with many modern thinkers, commentators, politicians and scientists, including Aldous Huxley, Iris Murdoch, Ivan Illich, Bernard Levin, Indira Gandhi, and David Bohm. He maintained that if young people learn to see how they are conditioned by race, nationality, religion, tradition and beliefs, they will discover for themselves how to be fully intelligent human beings.

Concerning life at Brockwood, Krishnamurti said, ‘We are learning together. That is real cooperation, that is real community. That demands natural affection, care, attention.’

For adults interested in visiting or getting involved with Brockwood Park, we suggest initially to come for a retreat at The Krishnamurti Centre. You can find out more here.

At the Centre, we also accept a number of residential volunteers aged 19 to 35 (and others subject to available space), providing the chance to explore fundamental questions in life in light of Krishnamurti’s teachings. You can find out more about this programme here.