Hugh Jackman's 'Church': The Controversial School of Practical Philosophy
For Australian superstar Hugh Jackman, the School of Practical Philosophy represents a spiritual sanctuary he affectionately calls his "church." However, this organisation faces stark criticism from detractors who label it a quasi-religious sect with cult-like characteristics. This philosophical group, which blends Eastern and Western traditions, has attracted both celebrity endorsement and serious controversy over its eight-decade history.
Historical Foundations and Evolution
The organisation traces its origins to 1938 when British politician Andrew MacLaren and his son Leon established the Henry George School of Economics. Initially focused on studying American economist Henry George's theories, the group transformed when Leon MacLaren inherited leadership and renamed it the School of Economic Science (SES) in 1942. This name persisted until 2019 when it became the School of Philosophy and Economic Science (SPES).
Internationally, the organisation operates under various names including the School of Practical Philosophy in the United States and Australia, and simply the School of Philosophy in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Its curriculum offers non-academic courses drawing from orthodox Hindu philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, meditation practices, and Sanskrit language instruction.
Celebrity Endorsement and Personal Impact
Hugh Jackman joined the organisation in 1992 at age 24 and has consistently praised its influence on his life. In a 2006 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackman revealed that his son Oscar attended one of the group's independent schools. "The school accepts everyone. There's even a school for children. Our son, Oscar, attends," Jackman explained, adding that students learn "how to be of service to others" through practices like serving each other at lunch.
Jackman, raised Anglican, told Parade magazine in 2009 that he found traditional religions "too restrictive" compared to the School of Practical Philosophy's approach. "We believe there are many forms of Scripture. What is true is true and will never change, whether it's in the Bible or in Shakespeare," he said, describing the philosophy as focusing on "oneness" and essential truths shared across religious traditions.
The organisation's influence extended to Jackman's personal life, with his wedding bands inscribed with the Sanskrit phrase "Om paramar mainamar," meaning "we dedicate our union to a greater source." Jackman credited the school with providing "a great grounding and understanding of the world" that proved "incredibly helpful to my acting" during a 2022 Interview magazine conversation.
Controversies and Abuse Allegations
Despite Jackman's enthusiastic endorsement, the organisation has faced significant criticism and allegations. In 1984, UK journalists Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg published "Secret Cult," alleging psychological control tactics that reportedly caused mental breakdowns among members. The book included a rebuttal from then-UK Liberal Party chair Roger Pincham, who dismissed the claims as based on "a handful of disaffected students."
More seriously, a 2005 private enquiry into the organisation's independent London schools—St James Primary and St Vedast senior schools—found evidence of criminal assaults against pupils between 1975 and 1985. Investigative chair James Townend QC concluded that male students had been "criminally assaulted by being punched in the face or in the stomach" or "cuffed violently about the head," describing this treatment as "clearly unreasonable and criminal."
The organisation accepted these findings with "deep regret" and noted Townend observed "real change in the ethos" since those years. St Vedast school closed in 1985 following the revelations. By 2020, the BBC reported nearly £1 million in compensation had been paid to dozens of former students, with 45 individuals receiving up to £30,000 each in out-of-court settlements without admission of liability.
Other Celebrity Connections and Critical Perspectives
Actress Emily Watson, raised within the organisation and educated at SES-run St James Independent Schools, described an "unpleasant" atmosphere in a 2023 Guardian interview. "There was extreme behaviour, cruelty and unpleasantness that was very damaging for some people," Watson stated, while acknowledging "very beautiful things" she learned growing up in the organisation.
Watson remained with the group until her 1996 expulsion following nude scenes in Lars Von Trier's "Breaking The Waves." She suggested the expulsion would have occurred regardless: "If it hadn't been that it would have been something else. This was something that they very strongly disapproved of." Watson described her departure as "a defining moment and a very strengthening moment" in her life.
The organisation has established several independent schools across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, while maintaining its philosophical courses worldwide. Despite controversies, it continues to attract followers seeking its blend of philosophical traditions, though it remains a subject of intense debate between supporters like Jackman and critics who question its methods and history.
