About - Mandeville Academy

What is Mandeville academy?

Mandeville offers a small group of ambitious gifted students the opportunity to be exposed to the highest levels of knowledge and learning in a wide variety of disciplines and public issues.

An intimate institute that provides the space and time to reflect on complex issues . At the same time it’s a stimulating intellectual environment of peers brimming with ideas. We facilitate ‘the most beautiful minds’ and their individual growth. Their minds were designed to think creatively, conceptionally, unconventionally. We allow their abilities to excel. In this environment they accumulate the necessary experience that allows them to function at the highest levels. Mandeville is a residential academy where students learn to be independent in a guided environment.

After a year of Mandeville Academy, these exceptional students will have been able to develop their personal interests and individual talents in the widest possible way, guided by top educators from a wide variety of disciplines. It allows them to prepare for their next steps whether further education or career. In addition, they are part of a unique and exclusive network of people. The Academy unites young gifted students with the upper echelons of society at a very early stage which allows for life long bonds. A unique opportunity for anyone connected to Mandeville

Ad Tempus Vitae

Why was Mandeville founded?

The current turbulent, rapidly changing environment creates circumstances that provide new possibilities and opportunities. Traditional structures and patterns do not necessarily apply any further. High impact events, rapid distribution of information and incredible advances of technology require a different world view. Society is changing at an enormous rate which causes uncertainty, discontent, stress and adjustment. To develop real innovative solutions requires a new approach and different perspective(s). Young gifted people have the unique capacity to help shape new solutions in a changing world order. Particularly in a stimulating nourishing environment with appropriate guidance. Mandeville and it’s extensive network allows for this.

Gifted, highly motivated young adults, “the most beautiful minds” are capable of much more than society currently grants the opportunity to contribute. Their unique inborn potential is generally smothered by society and traditional educational methods. There is often insufficient space for development of this unique potential.

Gifted students have a fast working brain, are naturally curious, inquisitive and have a unique view of the world. They think outside of conventions, enjoy thinking of the unthinkable and experiment. They quickly observe linkages and tend to be autonomous independent thinkers. They approach learning materials in a holistic fashion and are interested in the whole and it’s underlying relations. Their rapid processing power allows them to create new solutions to complex issues. At Mandeville we offer a unique curriculum at the highest level where students learn to take the lead. It is essential for gifted students to discover their own path that allows their power of thought and talent to flourish. Mandeville uses it’s strong and varied network, cooperates with educators from the top echelons of the public and private sector as well as scientific and arts communities. This allows our students the possibility to design their personal development path. They learn to apply their unique abilities in an effective and constructive way allowing to shape their personal futures. Mandeville is an excellent accelerator for these gifted students.

The Mandeville name

The Mandeville name is reference to a number of historical figures carrying the name Mandeville. Each of these people had their own strengths, uniqueness and contribution to society. Collectively this is captured in our motto: Ad Tempus Vitae

Bernard Mandeville (1670 Rotterdam – 1733 London)

Philosopher, Physician, Economist and Satirist. Bernard Mandeville leaves the Netherlands in 1690 after his alleged involvement with the Costermann riot in 1690. An anti taxation protest in Rotterdam. Mandeville writes a satirical poem about the fleet of Jacob van Zuijlen van Nievelt. Fearful for the repurcussions he sets sail for England. Mandeville’s main thesis is: “Vice is the true source of general wellbeing”. Virtue is harmful. He coins the Mandeville paradox: “individual benefit does not necessarily equates collective benefit”. He is particularly known outside of the Netherlands. Bernard Mandeville was inspired by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and Pierre Bayle (1647-1706). Quoted by Karl Marx (1818-1893), he inspires the works of Adam Smith (1723-1790), David Hume (1711-1776), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), Voltaire (1694-1778), Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Bernard Mandeville teaches us to think non-dogmatically. Imperfections are required forces in society.

Jan van Mandeville (1300 St Albans – 1358 Liege)

Author of “Les Voyages de Jan van Mandeville”. This travelogue inspired both Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo. Mandeville’s travels in 1356 consist of two components. One journey through the Byzantine Empire, Asia Minor, the Holy Land, The Sinai, Egypt onto the fictional country of “Pape Jan”. The second journey runs to the far East (India, China and other far eastern territories). The first translation from Dutch is in 1434 from the St Maartensdal monastery in Leuven . This manuscript also contains a fine copy of the Rhyme Bible of Jacob van Maerlant. Travel was a dangerous undertaking in the early 14th century. It required courage, curiosity and restlessness. These three traits are core values of the Mandeville Academy.

Geoffrey de Mandeville, Second Earl of Essex (1191-1216)

Geoffrey de Mandeville was an English peer. With 24 friends he opposed King John for the increased power of the King. Forcing King John to sign the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215 limiting the power of the King and granting greater political freedom. The church is exonerated from the reign of the King, justice and law reformed. In 2016 Geoffrey de Mandeville succumbs to his injuries incurred in a joust in London.

Geoffrey de Mandeville demonstrates that no one is beyond critique. Authority and power is to be questioned to fight compromise.

Geoffrey de Mandeville, first Earl of Essex *1100 – 1144)

Geoffrey de Mandeville rebels against the King who had confiscated part of his family’s patrimony including the Tower of London.

The feud escalates and Mandeville is excommunicated in 1143 with the support of Pope Celestinus.

Mandeville met his death from an archer’s arrow received in a skirmish. Because he had died excommunicate, his body was denied burial at the monastery he had founded in approximately 1136, the Walden Priory.

Eventually Pope Celestinus II reluctantly agrees for his remains to be buried in the Temple Church in London provided his remains are wrapped in lead to assure his soul cannot escape to heaven. His comrades abide by these conditions but not before punching a few holes in the box to allow his soul to escape anyway. Friendship and Loyalty at it’s best. In a medieval manuscript, Mandeville’s death is symbolised by a broken lance. The upside-down coat of arms symbolises his excommunication, making him an outlaw. The upside down coat of arms is equally the logo of Mandeville Academy, the gifted are beyond the masses. Bless them.