Unveiling the Controversial Church: Hugh Jackman’s Spiritual Sanctuary and Emily Watson’s Harrowing Experience

Hugh Jackman, the celebrated Australian actor, regards it as his ‘church’.

However, critics label The School of Practical Philosophy as a quasi-religious ‘sect’, with some even describing it as having cult-like characteristics.

The origins of this organization date back to 1938, initiated by British politician Andrew MacLaren and his son Leon under the banner of the Henry George School of Economics.

Initially centered around the teachings of American economist Henry George, the focus broadened when Leon MacLaren took over, subsequently rebranding it as the School of Economic Science (SES) in 1942.

The organization maintained this identity until 2019, when it adopted the name School of Philosophy and Economic Science (SPES).

The organisation also operates under the name the School of Practical Philosophy in countries like the US and Australia.

It’s the organisation that Aussie A-lister Hugh Jackman considers his ‘church’. But for critics of The School of Practical Philosophy, it is a quasi-religious ‘sect’ that has been described by some as cult-like (Pictured: Hugh Jackman) 

The organisation was founded in 1938 by British politician Andrew MacLaren (pictured) and his son Leon as the Henry George School of Economics

It is also known as the School of Philosophy for various international branches in Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

It offers non-academic courses using insights from Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, including orthodox Hindu philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, as well as meditation and learning Sanskrit.

It has also founded several independent schools in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Jackman joined the organisation back in 1992, when he was 24, and has often spoken about the positive effect it had on his life.

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2006, Hugh revealed that his son, Oscar, now 25, attended one of the independent schools operated by the group.

‘Capitalism is a wonderful idea, but it isn’t a cure-all. So this nondenominational group of people wanted to get together, find the truth, then apply it. Now the school is all over the world,’ Jackman explained. 

‘The school accepts everyone. There’s even a school for children. Our son, Oscar, attends. 

‘I always thought it would be fascinating to raise a child to understand the principles of divine order. That is a reason to have children.’

The organisation, now known as the School of Philosophy and Economic Science (SPES) also operates under the name the School of Practical Philosophy (SPP) in countries like the US and Australia. It is also known as the School of Philosophy for various international branches in Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. (Pictured SPP’s New York headquarters)

Jackman joined the organisation back in 1992, when he was 24, and has often spoken about the positive effect it had on his life 

‘The school accepts everyone. There’s even a school for children. Our son, Oscar, attends,’ he told Oprah Winfrey in 2006

He added: ‘The main thing Oscar learns is how to be of service to others. At lunch the kids all serve one another before they eat.’

In a 2022 chat with Interview magazine, Jackman said that the School of Practical Philosophy had helped in all aspects of his life, including acting.

‘It’s become a major part of my life. It gives me a great grounding and understanding of the world around us, and it’s also been incredibly helpful to my acting,’ he said.

‘You start with working on yourself, then widening that work to helping others around you and the community at large.’ 

Jackman, who was raised Anglican, told Parade in 2009 that he found traditional religions too ‘restrictive’.    

‘I just find the evangelical church too, well, restrictive. But the School of Practical Philosophy is non-confrontational,’ he said.

‘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. It’s about oneness. 

‘Its basic philosophy is that if the Buddha and Krishna and Jesus were all at a dinner table together, they wouldn’t be arguing. There is an essential truth. And we are limitless.’    

Further, Hugh’s involvement with the School Of Practical Philosophy was possibly a cornerstone of his 27-year marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness

Their wedding bands were inscribed with the Sanskrit phrase ‘Om paramar mainamar’, which translates to ‘we dedicate our union to a greater source’ 

Despite Hugh’s high praise, the organisation has not been without controversy, with critics and former members describing it as cult-like. Pictured: SPES London headquarters

In 1984, UK journalists Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg published a book titled Secret Cult, in which they alleged the organisation aimed to exert psychological control over members, which they claimed led to mental breakdowns in some cases

Further, Jackman’s involvement with the School Of Practical Philosophy was possibly a cornerstone of his 27-year marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness.

Their wedding bands were inscribed with the Sanskrit phrase ‘Om paramar mainamar’, which translates to ‘we dedicate our union to a greater source.’ 

Despite Jackman’s high praise, the organisation has not been without controversy, with critics and some former members describing it as cult-like.

In 1984, UK journalists Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg published a book titled Secret Cult, in which they alleged the organisation aimed to exert psychological control over members, which they claimed led to mental breakdowns in some cases.

While the organisation effectively chose to ignore the allegations contained in the book and the Evening Standard articles that preceded it, the book contained a rebuttal from long-time SES member and then UK Liberal Party chair Roger Pincham.

Pincham strongly refuted the claims made by Hounam and Hogg, claiming their account was unbalanced and prejudiced, adding the journalists relied on a ‘handful of disaffected students’.

Further, in 2005, a private enquiry into the organisation’s independent London day schools  – St James Primary and St Vedast senior boys and girls schools – found that pupils were criminally assaulted between 1975 and 1985.

The enquiry, was commissioned by the Independent Educational Association (IEA), the group that operates the schools founded by SES.

Further, in 2005, a private enquiry into the organisation’s independent London day schools – St James Primary and St Vedast senior boys and girls schools – found that pupils were criminally assaulted between 1975 and 1985. Pictured: St James School for Senior Boys

Hugh isn’t the only A-lister associated with the controversial organisation. Actress Emily Watson was brought up in the organisation and attended SES-run St James Independent Schools

James Townend QC, who chaired the investigation, concluded that male students in particular had been, ‘criminally assaulted by being punched in the face or in the stomach,’ or ‘cuffed violently about the head’. 

He added: ‘Whatever the provocation, nothing could justify this mistreatment. It was clearly unreasonable and criminal.’ 

Following the report, the organisation issued a statement admitting that they accepted the findings, and expressed ‘deep regret’.  

The statement also pointed out Townend was struck by the ‘real change in the ethos’ and conduct of the senior schools’. 

St Vedast was closed in 1985 following the revelations. 

The BBC reported in 2020 that almost £1 million (AUD $1.9 million) in compensation was paid to ‘dozens’ of former students.

It was revealed that 45 former students who attended the schools between 1975 and 1992 had received payments of up to £30,000 (AUD$57,000) each. 

All cases were settled out of court and without an admission of liability. 

‘There was extreme behaviour, cruelty and unpleasantness that was very damaging for some people,’ she told the Guardian in 2023. ‘I’m sure it’s a very different place now, but [the SES] was a very young organisation that had no protection built in for the welfare of children’

In a statement, an IEA spokesperson apologies ‘unreservedly to each of those who suffered mistreatment during that time.’

They added: ‘The school today is an entirely different place, one in which the happiness and welfare of every child is paramount.’ 

Jackman isn’t the only A-lister associated with the controversial organisation.

Actress Emily Watson was brought up in the organisation and attended SES-run St James Independent Schools.

Speaking about her experiences to the Guardian in 2023, Watson described an ‘unpleasant’ atmosphere.  

‘There was extreme behaviour, cruelty and unpleasantness that was very damaging for some people,’ she said.

‘I’m sure it’s a very different place now, but [the SES] was a very young organisation that had no protection built in for the welfare of children.’

Watson added that her experiences with the school weren’t all bad, with the actress admitting she was ‘conflicted’.

Despite her concerns, Emily stayed with SES until she was expelled in 1996. The expulsion came after Emily filmed nude scenes for the Lars Von Trier film Breaking The Waves. ‘If it hadn’t been that it would have been something else. This was something that they very strongly disapproved of,’ she said

‘There are very beautiful things around it as well that you learn as you’re growing up. I was quite conflicted,’ she said.

‘I think those organisations keep people close through fear. A lot of religions work in that way. It’s a lot of unravelling to try and see the wood for the trees.’

Despite her concerns, Watson stayed with the organisation until she was expelled in 1996.

The expulsion came after she filmed nude scenes for the Lars Von Trier film Breaking The Waves.

Speaking about her expulsion to The Guardian, Watson said:  ‘If it hadn’t been that it would have been something else. This was something that they very strongly disapproved of.   

‘I stood up for myself, and that was that. It was a tough moment in my life, but a defining moment and a very strengthening moment. You learn from these things.’ 

SEPS has not publicly commented on Watson’s claims.