The School of Life is a social enterprise founded in 2008 and based in a small shop in Central London. The School offers a variety of programmes and services concerned with how to live wisely and well, addressing such questions as why work is often unfulfilling, why relationships can be so challenging, why it’s ever harder to stay calm and what one could do to try to change the world for the better. The School also offers psychotherapy and bibliotherapy services and runs a small shop which has been described as 'an apothecary for the mind'.

The School of Life is not affiliated to any religious, educational, charitable or other organisations. It declares itself a place ‘free from dogma’, where participants are ‘directed towards a variety of ideas - from philosophy to literature, psychology to the visual arts – that tickle, exercise and expand your mind’ and where participants can 'meet other curious, sociable and open-minded people in an atmosphere of exploration and enjoyment'.

The School of Life was founded by philosopher Alain de Botton, with the help of Sophie Howarth, a former curator of Tate Modern, in collaboration with a number of writers, artists and educators. It is currently staffed by Morgwn Rimel (Director), Harriet Warden, Caroline Brimmer and Angharad Davies. The faculty includes philosophers Mark Vernon, Robert Rowland Smith and Nigel Warburton, writers Tom Hodgkinson, Charles Fernyhough, John-Paul Flintoff, Catherine Blyth and Rebecca Abrams. Ambassadors for the project include Alain de Botton, photographer Martin Parr, psychotherapist Brett Kahr, journalist Rosie Boycott and publishers Patrick Walsh, Toby Mundy and Simon Prosser.

School of Life is a 2005 made-for-television drama film starring Ryan Reynolds about a teacher who moves to a town and shakes the old school ways up a bit.

At Fallbrook Middle School, the annual student-elected Teacher of the Year award ceremony is held. Every year for the last 43 years, Norman Warner, fondly called Stormin' Norman, has won the award. During the ceremony, he collapses and dies. The burden of carrying the legacy falls to Matt Warner, son of the late Norman Warner who has always lived in the shadow of his father.

Determined to keep the family tradition of being Teacher of the Year alive, Matt focuses all his attention and efforts in winning the coveted title. But the new history teacher, Mr. Michael D'Angelo becomes the new student favorite. He is called, even by fellow and senior teachers, "Mr. D". Young, funny, with unconventional methods of teaching and an uncanny ability to connect with his students, Mr. D. quickly wins the hearts not only of the students but also the teachers, especially the young art teacher, Ms. Davies. Now that Mr. D. is the most popular teacher on campus, Matt feels that he has no chances of winning against Mr. D.