FAQs
If you have questions about the school which are not covered on this page, please email
What are the start and finish times of the Focusing School?
Arrival times: We propose that delegates arrive in time for registration and orientation at 13.00-17.00 on Wednesday 20th August. Supper will be served at 18.00 followed by an opening ceremony at 20.00 pm.
Departure times: On Sunday 24th the event will finish after lunch around 13.30. We have been asked to vacate the school premises by 15.00 at the latest.
The nearest station is Stourbridge Junction the venue is a short 10 minute walk from there. You can download travel details here
Who can attend the residential event?
The event is open to anyone of 18 and over. You don’t need prior experience with Focusing to attend. There will be a course dedicated to introducing newcomers to the basics of Focusing. Some workshops (e.g. TAE) will require previous Focusing experience.
What happens at the school?
The days will be structured to have more formal workshops in the morning, and informal workshops or offerings in the afternoon and evening.
Participants will be invited to choose in advance one of the main teacher’s topics for the morning sessions. They will stay with this group for each morning of the event. The teacher profiles and topics are on the website.
As well as time for focusing in pairs, there will be several different afternoon workshops each day. Participants can choose at the event and are able to offer something themselves. This could be a short workshop, or a special interest group or something experimental. Let us know if you have anything to offer and we will fit it in if space and time allows. There will also be space for more spontaneous offerings.
In the evenings participants are welcome to share their creative contributions such as music, dance, poetry, or performance to form the evening entertainment. If you’d like to offer something in the evening, please indicate it on the booking form.
How do I choose my preferred Teacher?
Once you have booked your ticket, a form will be emailed to you where you can choose your first second and third choices for the morning workshops. Workshops will be filled on a first come first served basis, and some teacher will have a limit to the group size. There will be some flexibility to change your choices nearer the time.
Do any of the workshops have pre-requisites and if so how do I know that I meet them?
Yes most of the morning workshops require level 1 and 2 training in Focusing, with the exception of Paula Charnley’s Introduction to Focusing and Rene Veugeler’s Dynamic expressive focusing.
The format and syllabus of the skills courses varies between teachers, but once you’ve completed levels 1&2 you should have a basic understanding of the Focusing process, and know how to listen to yourself and others in a Focusing way. Levels one and two each take a weekend or equivalent (12 hours) to complete. If you are unsure whether you’ve completed levels 1&2 to meet the prerequisites for a course, please check with the teacher you trained with, or contact us.
What is the accommodation like?
The venue is a secondary boarding school called The Old Swinford Hospital in Old Swinford, Stourbridge in the West Midlands with sleeping capacity for 140 people. There are both single and shared rooms. The rooms are simple with standard sized beds. Information for those wishing to find their own accommodation is available on the website. Unfortunately, the school does not allow camping in the grounds.
Do I need to bring anything specific?
- Anything you need to be comfortable – perhaps a favorite blanket, indoor slippers or socks, and comfortable clothing suitable for stretching and moving. You might like to bring your own yoga mat if you have one
- A notebook and pen
- Your own toiletries and towel. Bedding is provided.
- Whatever you need if you might like to offer a session or activity
Will there be opportunities for Focusing in Pairs
Yes, there will be dedicated time in the afternoon for Focusing in pairs.
How much is it to attend?
There are a range of ticket prices depending on when you book. Early bird prices will be offered until 20th August 2024. These will be £550 for a single room, £448 per person for a shared room, and £350 if you want to find your own accommodation and attend the school during the day. For those who wish to give more generously there is also a supporter ticket of £600.
Can I receive continuing education credits for attending the event?
We will issue a certificate of attendance to anyone who requests one.
What will the food be like?
We will be using the school’s own very experienced catering team for the event and have requested simple vegetarian meals. The team can cater for food intolerances like gluten and dairy as well as special diets such as Halal or Kosher. Menus will be available prior to the event. You are welcome to bring your own food to supplement this diet and use the kitchens in the boarding houses, however, please be aware that there are no cooking facilities on site. Tea and coffee will be available on site throughout the day.
How do I get to the venue?
Getting to the Venue By Train: 1. Travel to Stourbridge Junction, the closest major station. Frequent trains are available from Birmingham Snow Hill / Birmingham Moor Street stations, taking approximately 30 minutes. From Stourbridge you can either walk to the school (10 minutes) or take a taxi.
Local Taxis: book in advance (e.g. Falcon 01384 393939, Skyline 01384 469469) or Uber (generally more reliable).
Driving: The school has a number of entrances and we are using the entrance nearest to Love Lane on Heath Lane. The school postcode will take you to the Deliveries and Reception entrance, so it’s best to use What Three Words to get the precise location. hat3words silly.logo.coats
Please download the full travel instructions here
What’s the cancellation policy?
For everyone who books the following policy applies if you cancel your booking after payment:
If you cancel more than 60 days before the event (i.e before 21st June 2025)
- Full refund minus a £50 administrative fee.
If you cancel 30-60 days before the event start date:
- 50% refund of the total registration fee.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the event start date:
- No refund available.
Please note the deposit ticket of £150 is non-refundable and the balance must be paid by 21st June 2025 inorder to be valid.
Event Cancellation by the BFA:
If the BFA cancels the event due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund or a credit note for a future event, at your discretion.
Important Notes:
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to
We highly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover any potential losses in case of cancellation.
Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving your cancellation request.
This policy applies except in exceptional circumstances.
How accessible is the venue?
We want the school to be accessible as possible for those with mobility issues, and every effort will be made to make this possible. One of the boarding houses is without steps and wheelchair friendly. It has one accessible single room with adjacent accessible bathroom. In another boarding house there are 3 accessible single bedrooms sharing one accessible bathroom, on the second floor with lift access. We are ensuring the availability of ramps for wheelchair users. if you have any other specific accessibility requirements, please email us at: .