The Valley School, Thataguni

Overview

The Valley School, established in 1978,is one of the six schools of the Krishnamurti Foundation India. The school is based on the teachings of the eminent philosopher and a great thinker of our times, Jiddu Krishnamurti. It is located at Thatguni, about 17 km to the south of Bangalore, capital of the state of Karnataka, in a picturesque valley with undulating hills and farms with a reserve forest on the fringe. It has about 104 acres of dense vegetation, with a lake on one side and a running stream.

The Valley School is a co-educational, English medium school affiliated to the ICSE and ISC Boards. It is a day school with 325 students from Class I to XII. Students commute by school buses that ply to different points in the city. Hostel facility is available for about 30 senior students.

The Valley has diverse micro-ecosystems where a variety of plant, animal, and bird life thrives.

The school has been successful in implementing an ‘Open Classroom' where vertical groups of children from Class I to IV can learn together. The Open Classroom not only allows for a variety of foundational skills to be explored but also provides the opportunity for students to direct their own learning.

A ‘Resource Room' has been created to cater to the special learning needs of children. Professionals in the area work with children one-on-one and also offer remedial inputs in various areas.

The school science facilities have been extended of late: the Science Centre was formally inaugurated in January 2003. It provides spacious, well-equipped laboratories for life sciences, physics, chemistry and home science, and a state-of-the-art computer facility for students and staff. The Centre has a seminar hall with the latest audio-visual equipment.

'Art Village' is the setting for exploring the fine arts and performing arts: space, ambience, and facilities have been provided to nurture the creative impulse of students as well as adults. In addition to painting, design, craft, weaving, pottery, and wood-work, the curriculum now includes a dance and music (vocal and percussion) programme.

A one-year Post-School Programme in Art is offered for High School graduates who wish to spend a year pursuing a programme of study without the pressure of examinations. It provides structure in an ambience of space and leisure to enable students to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

To enrich the resource base of teachers, a Teacher Resource Centre has been set up. The Centre will work to enhance the skill and knowledge levels of the staff by maintaining a library of books, monographs, and other materials. It will also facilitate teacher orientation programmes and refresher courses.

A Post-School Programme in various disciplines is in the process of being formulated. This will be offered from June 2003 for students of all Krishnamurti Schools who would be interested in pursuing independent study with focus on self-inquiry.

Details

• 1 to XII grade
• ICSE and ISC, Board
• English Medium
• Co-ed School

Year Established: 1978