Welcome to the Raphael School Association's Website

We teach natural or spiritual healing. (The word spiritual here does not refer to spiritualism.) Healing has everything to do with spiritual values and the way we live our lives. We learn about working on ourselves before we can start to help others. We have to understand each part of the healing process so we are looking after our own health as well as our clients.

We are a non profit making organisation. Our healer training courses started in 1999. In 2000 we were registered as an independent healer training school by the British Complementary Medicine Association, (the BCMA). In 2003 we became The Raphael School Association, with a constitution and a governing body. In 2004 we were registered as a Healer Training Association by the BCMA.

Our venue is in a peaceful setting yet close to the M62 junction 27in the village of Gildersome. It is 250 years old and provides the right atmosphere for our healer training and short courses.

To approach the venue from the M62 junction 27 roundabout follow the signs for the A62 Leeds exit (Gelderd Rd), prepare to turn first left immediately into Street Lane and you will notice the sign for Gildersome. Continue straight down Street Lane past the Post office on the left, and you will see the parade of shops ahead of you. Look on your right and you will notice the gate and archway of the Friends Meeting House opposite the fish and chip shop.

Street parking is available on the opposite side of the road to the Friends Meeting House on the street off the shopping parade. There is also a local car park near the Co-operative supermarket a few minutes walk away.

There are bus stops (For more detailed directions please click on the location page) close to the venue with local services to Leeds, Huddersfield, Mirfield, Bradford, Wakefield and surrounding areas. The nearest train station is Leeds 15-20 minutes by bus.

Our teaching staff share a wide range of experience in their specialities. We have four main course tutors and two visiting tutors. Other staff include the courses administrator, the membership secretary and the website manager.

We, the staff and qualified healer and trainee members of the association cover a range of ages, backgrounds and cultures. It is a great privilege for all of us to be involved in this special work whether as tutors, healers or trainees. Healing is universal and beyond all divisions of class, race or religion.

Although we are a small organization we recognise the importance of providing good support structures for course members including mentoring and telephone tutoring. Tutorials for individual course members are available during course days by appointment.

We also feel that getting to know one another outside of courses is important for us all and we hope to continue to be able to arrange meals together, walks and other social events.

Our courses are effective if members are committed and prepared to work on a daily basis. The emphasis especially in the first year is on working on ourselves. If we can’t look after ourselves how can we help others? The ‘course’ does not stop once we qualify. It is a life long task.

We don’t ‘initiate’ people. We are neither saints nor gurus but very human. We try to give of our best to provide the tools and knowledge that we have, so that we may make a difference in our own and others lives by being able to be of service as healers.

Please use the links on the left to navigate through the various sections of the site. During term time, an additional resources page will be added, giving students and staff access to course materials and other useful information