The History of Brain School
It is perhaps hard to believe in today’s rich educational environment, but deep in the mists of time there was no organised teaching for neurosurgical trainees in London. A young neurosurgical registrar, facing his upcoming FRCS examination alone and unsupported, complained of this situation to an orthopaedic colleague over a beer. The orthopod raised his eyebrows in surprise, explaining that he and his friends were regulars at “Bone School” – a pan-London training series. That young neurosurgeon was Lewis Thorne – and that night the idea of “Brain School” was born.
At its inception, Brain School was meant to be independent, informal and inspiring. Wanting to hold the meetings somewhere not tied to any particular Deanery, medical school or hospital, Mr Thorne looked for a central, “neutral” venue – and decided on the Savoy Hotel. After learning that industry support would not cover this choice, the Royal College of Surgeons of England was decided upon instead, and the first Brain School was held in 2006. David Choi and Adrian Casey from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery taught a room packed with neurosurgical trainees and a legend was born.
The journey of Brain School could not be told without a mention of Mr Greg James, who took over leadership after Mr Thorne. Mr James has continued to grow Brain School and foster interest in neurosurgery providing a top class neurosurgical lectures every month, rain or shine. Weathering the Covid-19 pandemic, Brain School briefly left its home at the Royal College of Surgeons and ran as an online entity.
Cleaving to its founding principles – “independent, informal, inspiring” – Brain School attracts those interested in neurosurgery, from medical student to consultant, from all over London and beyond. Every month, inspiring speakers from neurosurgery and its allied specialties present fascinating talks in an informal and engaging environment. Social interaction with trainee colleagues from other units is key to the Brain School experience and there have been many memorable evenings over the years.
After a decade at the helm Mr James has himself handed over the baton and, alongside a new team, headed up by Mr Aswin Chari Brain School will continue to provide a monthly bolus of neurosurgical knowledge. You can find us, back at our home, The Royal College of Surgeon’s of England (and perhaps online too, watch this space 👀) every third Wednesday of the month at 7pm.
We hope to see you there.
