New Degree Programme: Integrated Master of Osteopathy

In recognition of the high standard of our course, the BSc(Hons) degree programme has been replaced by the Integrated Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) qualification, validated by the University of Greenwich.  By offering the M.Ost we are at the forefront of the latest developments in osteopathic education.

International Postgraduate Event and Gala Dinner - an exception Day and Evening

Osteopathy has changed a great deal since the European School of Osteopathy was first established, and the ESO’s International Postgraduate Event and Gala Dinner provided a perfect opportunity to celebrate both the contribution the school had made,  and its commitment to the future of the profession.

Osteopaths from around the UK and Europe attended the event, taking part in innovative workshops designed to enhance their osteopathic practice. ESO Principal, Adrian Barnes, explains further; “We had some very exciting seminars this year, ranging from osteopathy for animals to the integration of osteopathic concepts and approaches. The feedback from delegates has been very positive, so much so that speakers have been re-booked for CPD events over the next academic year.”

In the evening delegates joined past and present Principals for a Gala dinner at the beautiful Leeds Castle, held to celebrate landmark events in the School's history.  It was 35 years ago that the School established its own four year, full-time diploma course and 25 years ago it opened its dedicated clinic in central Maidstone - with 23 treatment rooms, it continues to be one of the country's largest osteopathic training clinics.  Steven Bettles, Vice Principal (Osteopathic), summed up the evening “It was a wonderful night - relaxed and enjoyable, in a lovely location, with great food and music! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, particularly the catching up with old friends, some of whom hadn’t seen each other for many years.”

The introduction of the Integrated Masters programme in 2009 marks another landmark event for the School and secures the ESO's place at the forefront of osteopathic education.

Graduation Ceremony 2009

On Friday 10th July the European School of Osteopathy returned to the imposing and impressive venue of All Saints Church in Maidstone, Kent for their 2009 graduation ceremony.

This year's 37 BSc (Hons) Graduates were joined by an equal number of students from Russia, Estonia and France.  Two postgraduate degrees in the form of an MSc Osteopathy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy were also awarded, alongside 13 awards of the Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy for Animals.

Commenting on the graduation ceremony, Adrian Barnes said:

"The 2009 graduation ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the achievements of this year’s ESO graduates.

Graduates from the ESO’s BSc (Hons) Osteopathy and MSc Osteopathy courses, together with their supporters, mixed with graduates from Russia, Estonia and France to create an incomparable multi-cultural atmosphere.

It is always a pleasure to visit such an impressive venue as All Saints Church in Maidstone and I thank all involved in the organisation of the event, whether from the ESO or the Church, for their hard work in making the event such a success.

I wish all our graduates the very best in making a success of their chosen career." 

Light refreshments were provided after the ceremony which gave graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff time to reflect on another very successful year for the school. The celebrations continued in the evening with graduates and their guests enjoying a Graduation Ball held in the grounds of Boxley House.

Professor Peter Blagrave retires

May 2009 marked the end of an era for the ESO with the retirement of Professor Peter Blagrave from teaching on the undergraduate programme.

ESO students, faculty and staff, past and present, gathered together to acknowledge this very special occasion with a champagne reception held at Boxley House. Speeches were made by Adrian Barnes, ESO Principal, who had been taught by Peter’s father, and Anna Reeve on behalf of fellow lecturer Stephen Pirie, who had worked with Peter for more than 40 years. Third year student, Joerg Wentzl, represented students, acknowledging the inspirational contribution Professor Blagrave had made to the lives of a great many osteopaths and confirming that he would be greatly missed.

Peter was a former Principal of the ESO and worked for the School for many years as a lecturer, and clinic director and continues to be a sought after lecturer on the international circuit. The School awarded Peter his Professorship in 2006 in recognition of his significant contribution to osteopathic education. Peter’s dedication to teaching and the ESO has been outstanding, often tutoring students in his own time before the start of the teaching day.

Professor Blagrave was presented with a watch, an appropriate gift as Peter had been a watch maker prior to his career in osteopathy and continues to be an enthusiastic collector.

All at the ESO would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Blagrave once again for his contribution to osteopathy and to the ESO and to wish him a long, happy and healthy semi-retirement.