Consciousness-based Interdisciplinary Studies (CbIDS)

At Maharishi School, Consciousness-Based Interdisciplinary Studies (CbIDS) is a specialist subject taught to all pupils. It has a dedicated place in the timetable but also runs throughout all areas of learning, helping to connect different subjects and deepen understanding.

CbIDS is a structured programme that develops as pupils progress through the school. It provides a toolkit for teachers to integrate key themes into other subjects, creating meaningful links between different areas of knowledge and encouraging pupils to think critically and creatively.

How CbIDS Works

At its core, CbIDS is built around Integrating Themes - concepts such as Growth, Order, Layers, Intelligence, Creativity, and Wholeness. These themes are introduced in two ways:

  1. Inner Application – Pupils first explore these themes in relation to themselves, helping them to reflect on their own learning, experiences, and personal development.
  2. Outer Application – They then apply these same themes to academic subjects, seeing how the principles they have explored in their own lives also exist in history, science, mathematics, literature, and the wider world.

This approach strengthens the connection between inner and outer knowledge, showing pupils that learning is not just about facts and figures - it is deeply personal, relevant, and applicable in many areas of life, reinforcing that knowledge is structured in consciousness.

A Wholeness of Understanding

One of the key goals of CbIDS is to help pupils see the bigger picture. By linking different areas of knowledge and expanding their understanding step by step, they develop a more complete, interconnected view of the world.

This reflects our school motto: “Knowledge is structured in consciousness.”

By understanding how learning is shaped by awareness, pupils can develop higher-order thinking skills, apply creativity and intelligence more effectively, and recognise the connections between different subjects.

Preparing Pupils for Life

Through CbIDS, we aim to help pupils grow into young adults who are:

  • Knowledgeable about themselves – Understanding their own strengths, thought processes, and emotions.
  • Creative and intelligent learners – Confident in applying their knowledge in different contexts.
  • Capable and independent – Equipped with the skills to find success and fulfilment in life.
  • Respectful and compassionate – Aware of their impact on the world and able to respond thoughtfully to the needs of others.

By embedding CbIDS across the curriculum, Maharishi School ensures that pupils don’t just learn - they develop a lifelong ability to think deeply, learn effectively, and approach life with curiosity, confidence, and purpose.