THE

PROSPECTUS hoosing a school is one of the most important and pivotal decisions you will make as a parent. Your Cchild’s early schooling lays the foundation for their learning behaviours, confidence and wellbeing as they grow and develop. Our unique ethos, inspired by Buddhist principles, nurtures happy, resilient children who love learning.

We offer everything you would expect from a first-class primary school, with the added advantage of 25 years expertise in teaching to children, a practice which has scientifically proven benefits for wellbeing and learning. We are informed by the national curriculum but our skilled and committed staff team has the freedom to nurture children’s individual talents and interests and, crucially, their wellbeing. The integrated practice of mindfulness and the Learning Power Approach (LPA) supports excellent academic outcomes.

Our fees are competitive and amongst the lowest in and families have relocated just so that their children can attend! We hope you will be inspired to consider us as a positive foundation for your child’s development.

Warmest wishes, Clare Eddison Head Teacher ETHOS & AIMS

ETHOS A foundation for all-round excellence with mindfulness at its heart. The Dharma Primary School is a small community school and nursery, with skilled and committed staff, in which children excel in a safe, secure and nurturing environment. We provide a quality academic education informed by the National Curriculum, but with the flexibility and creativity to respond to the children’s needs, talents and interests. Children develop confidence, motivation and a love of learning, enabling them to do well academically and to make a successful transition to local independent and state secondary schools.

Through our Buddhist-based ethos and daily and mindfulness practice, we encourage children to cultivate focus, self-reflection, wisdom and compassion. is not taught as a ‘faith’, but as a set of principles and tools for living a productive and fulfilling life.

Children are introduced to the benefit of stillness through regular meditation practice - enabling them to develop a reflective WE AIM: understanding of themselves, their life and the world around them. In • To guide pupils to develop mindfulness, love and understanding, ways appropriate to young children, we discuss and incorporate key and apply them in their daily lives. Buddhist teachings and enable children to understand such concepts • To provide a good academic education which enables children as cause and effect, the virtues of cooperation and the nature and to develop positive learning dispositions, and be challenged in pervasiveness of change. ways that accord with their needs and potential. • To promote self-esteem by teaching emotional literacy and AIMS problem-solving skills, enabling children to reflect and learn Our aim is that our pupils leave our school with a good heart, sound from all their experiences and transform conflict. ethical values and a sense of responsibility combined with the • To constantly strive to create a nurturing environment in which academic and social skills that enable them to make a successful positive, respectful relationships are developed among and transition into secondary education. We hope our pupils will then between all tiers of the school: children, staff, parent community go on to act in ways that will help to create a more compassionate, and trustees. intelligent and peaceful world. • To give children positive experiences of nature and the outdoors, inspiring curiosity, wonder and respect for the environment. SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The Dharma School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding goes beyond the contributions made to child protection in relation to individual children. Our objective is to provide a safe and protected environment for all young people to learn and reach their full potential.

It is integral to our ethos to maintain a climate in which all stakeholders feel able to articulate concerns comfortably; safe in the knowledge that effective action will be taken, as appropriate.

At The Dharma School, children are taught about how to stay safe, including staying safe online. Our taught curriculum and programme of assemblies/pujas covers how to stay physically and emotionally healthy and includes Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

We support the government’s Prevent agenda to counter radicalism and extremism and we have many policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. These policies are available to view on our website: www.dharmaschool.co.uk

Here you will also find statutory information and key policies (in sub- headings under the Heading, ‘School Ethos’). BACKGROUND

The Dharma Primary School, in , is a non-selective independent school and welcomes children aged 3-11 years from all backgrounds, faiths and abilities. Our philosophy is rooted in Buddhist principles and for more than 20 years we have successfully integrated a holistic ethos with an excellent academic education. Through the practice of mindfulness, the school aims to cultivate wisdom, reflection and compassion in children and to help them unlock their full potential.

The idea of founding a Dharma Primary School evolved from the family camps at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire in the mid- 1980s. Early in the 90’s this interaction between parents, children and members of the Buddhist monastery inspired a group of parents to meet in Brighton with the aim of opening the first Buddhist School for children in the UK.

On 9th September 1994, the Dharma Primary School opened its doors to four children in Queen’s Park, Brighton. On this special day the school received blessings from our founder patron, Luang Por Sumedho, a renowned Buddhist monk and teacher. We were also delighted to receive blessings sent from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who later became a patron of the school.

With the generous support of patrons and friends, such as Noy Thomson (Mom Rajawongse Saisvasdi Svastis Thomson) and Peter Carey, dedicated Buddhists and founder trustees, the school moved to The White House, , in June 1995 with eleven children. Since then, a nursery and four classes from Reception to year 6 have been established (three mixed-aged classes). The school now provides a Buddhist-based education for nearly 70 children aged 3 -11 years old. CURRICULUM

We encourage children in their primary school years to learn skills and express their understanding according to their readiness. Our differentiated, topic-based approach is informed but not constrained by the National Curriculum, with the flexibility to explore and develop according to the teachers’ strengths and the children’s interests. Teachers endeavour to give children creative opportunities and factual learning is enhanced by drama,story writing, poetry, music, ICC, outdoor learning, discussions and a wide range of artistic and hands- on activities.

Our broad and balanced curriculum includes a core programme of literacy, numeracy, science, PSHE, humanities, music, ICC, French, PE and yoga. Within the curriculum we also offer Forest School and a range of different after-school activities.

As well as good academic progress, we believe that emotional development and social aptitude are essential aspects of personal growth and character; that clear thinking and confidence to express develops understanding and wisdom and that good hearts hold ethical values. This approach generates seeds of learning that grow within all our children. We believe that these seeds can be carried throughout their entire education and still develop as the pupils mature into young adults. mind moves from one thought realise they have a safe place to MINDFULNESS to another. In this way children return to when they feel worried, begin to understand the power upset or distracted. Teaching of thought and feeling and children to connect and focus have an opportunity to observe on their breath is beneficial as and learn how they respond to our breath is always with us and situations and people around children learn that their breath is them. like a friend on whom they can always rely to bring them back In daily meditation, the older to the present moment, to calm children are given a range themselves and to feel centred. of opportunities to reflect on and discuss experiences that RESEARCH STUDIES have affected their inner world. Brain imaging studies show that Such may involve mindfulness positively alters situations in which they did the structure and function of not get what they wanted, the brain, improving thought or were given what they did processing, learning and well- not want, and experiences of being. If children are taught separation from special people how to practise it at a young or pets. Children reflect on the age, whilst their brains are Although mindfulness might be experienced approach that experience and talk about it still developing, mindfulness a current buzzword in education, takes into account their shorter afterwards often expressing becomes a powerful habit that here at the Dharma Primary attention spans and emotional some relief or understanding. will help them thrive. There School we have been integrating development. At the Dharma This requires receptive and are now more than 500 peer- this approach to learning for Primary School, mindfulness non-judgemental listening by reviewed research papers in 25 years. Mindfulness is about is integrated as a part of our the teacher and is frequently journals (mostly in the fields of learning to focus our attention wider commitment to Buddhist experienced as positive and neuroscience and psychology) on our experience as it happens, principles. meaningful by children, teachers about the efficacy of moment to moment, with Sessions of one to two minutes, and observers. mindfulness practice in different curiosity rather than judgement. as silent or guided meditations, areas and across various Instead of stressing about what several times a week are The regular practice of demographics. has happened or might happen, effective for young children, and mindfulness can help provide it trains us to respond skilfully connecting mindfulness with a ‘buffer’ for children against The Mindful Nation report to whatever is happening right regular daily activities such as being swept along by turbulent includes a research section now. eating, working and playing is a emotions. By using the breath on the benefits of mindfulness useful way to develop patience, as an anchor, looking and within education, see: www. MINDFULNESS FOR compassion and listening to the world around themindfulnessinitiative.org.uk/ CHILDREN self-awareness. In meditation them, and bringing focused about-mindfulness/research Engaging young children children become aware of their awareness to sensations such and there are many more global with mindfulness requires an thoughts and how rapidly their as taste, scent or touch, children studies to be found online. EXTRA-CURRICULAR including the Brighton Children’s ACTIVITIES Parade (part of Brighton Festival) SPORT The school offers range of after- and Let’s Dance (at Brighton school clubs, suitable for all Dome) and hosts a Summer ages, that run from 3.45pm Fayre and regular Family – 5.15pm, including music, Mindfulness Days for all to enjoy. science and sports sessions. The activities often change each SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL term – previously we have run NEEDS drama, knitting, film, animation Our Special Educational Needs and cookery clubs, and activities policy and practice are based are often driven by the varied on the principle of inclusion. skill sets of our staff and parent We aim to achieve the early community. For all clubs/care we identification of children who ask for a minimum commitment may be experiencing difficulties of half-a-term and parents are with learning, and the Special invoiced directly each half-term. Educational Needs Coordinator All children must be registered then takes responsibility for – registration forms can be arranging appropriate support. obtained through the office along This may take the form of with further details and fees. We individual tuition, differentiated are always open to suggestions classwork, or a combination of of new clubs so come and talk to the two. All staff are assisted us if you have any creative ideas! to support pupils with learning needs, and parents are fully The school is actively involved informed and involved in their in local community events, child’s work and progress.

All year groups take part in PE sessions for at least one hour every week. In Early Years we teach fundamental movement skills such as throwing and catching, and foster team skills and co-operative play. The older children play a variety of non-contact sports including cricket, hockey, basketball, tennis and football and we focus on a specific activity every half term, which allows time to develop the core physical and mental skills required to enjoy each sport. Engagement with the local community is key and we take part in Let’s Dance at every other year. We use the playground and the large park next to the school (including the public tennis courts) for sports activities and hold an all-school Sports Day every summer. We sometimes compete against the teams of the local primary school. ADMISSIONS

NURSERY ADMISSIONS invited to go on our waiting list. places we do consider those APPLYING FOR A PLACE: It is our intention to make our Please note that submission already attending the nursery. When you have decided to nursery accessible to children of a registration form months Interested parents will be asked apply for a place we ask that and families from all sections of in advance is no guarantee of to formally apply to the school you submit a Registration form. the local community. a place, due to the changing for a place in Reception. You These can be downloaded from nature of our school community may wish to express an interest our website or you may contact VISITING THE NURSERY: and our admission criteria. in your child entering the school the school office and we will Following your initial enquiry at the time of joining. send you the form by post or parents are invited to visit the In order to qualify for e-mail. nursery with or without their government funded hours, PRIMARY ADMISSIONS children. This may be on one children must meet the following We are a small primary school On receipt of this form we will of our Open Mornings held criteria: Children starting in based on Buddhist values open contact you to inform you via periodically throughout the year. September must be three years to boys and girls of different email or phone to discuss if old by 31st August of that year. backgrounds, beliefs or abilities. there is a place available. If Alternatively you are very there is no place you will be welcome to arrange a private Children starting in January VISITING THE SCHOOL: invited to go on our waiting list. visit through the office and we must be three by 31st December Following your initial enquiry Please note that submission will arrange for a tour of the of the previous year. Those parents are invited to visit the of a registration form months school with the opportunity entering in April must be three school with or without their in advance is no guarantee of to talk with the Early Years by 31st March of that year. children. This may be on one a place, due to the changing Coordinator. of our Open Mornings held nature of our school community Children can be admitted in the periodically throughout the year. and our admission criteria. When you have decided to term they turn three, however, apply for a place you need to they will not be eligible for The Open Morning includes the When your child is considered submit a Registration form. government funding until the opportunity to talk to the head for a place in the school, you These can be downloaded from following term and therefore, teacher, pupils and parents and will be invited to attend an our website, alternatively you fees must be paid. a tour of the school. interview with your child’s may contact the school office prospective teacher. and we will send you the form Attendance and the offer of Alternatively, you are very by post or e-mail. a place in our nursery are welcome to arrange a private Once your child is offered a not dependent on children visit through the office and we place they will be invited to On receipt of this form we will continuing into the school. will arrange for a tour of the attend a taster day. Please read contact you via e-mail or phone Similarly, attendance at our school with the opportunity to full details of our admission to discuss possible dates of nursery does not guarantee talk with the Head teacher or procedures in our Admissions entry and session requirements. a place into the school. teacher of relevant year group. Policy. If there is no place you will be However, on allocating school FROM OUR PARENT “There is a depth and a joy to the school COMMUNITY community that, while meeting all practical needs of education, gives a dimension to children’s lives entirely absent in other parts “You may consider the Dharma Primary of the educational establishment. Through School with absolute confidence. This is this strong foundation both our children no fringe education but one that will give were able to face up to extreme difficulties your child an awareness of the moment, and challenges that were shortly to come of the world and her/his place in it, of their way. I have no doubt that the strength interdependence in a changing world and of the complete education they received at of the consequences of our actions. All this The Dharma Primary School gave them the while ensuring that the foundation of their strength to withstand the storm.” lives are built strongly with all the practical educational skills needed to meet the “When our son joined after challenges after they have left.” leaving the Dharma Primary School, the Head Master wrote in one of his first reports “My son is really beginning to love learning. that “His secret weapon is his humility”. In He’ll often ask me when will he get a chance his final report earlier this year, the same to do some “work” at school! And will Head wrote that he is “one of the most frequently say he “loves school”. At his young impressive boys in the College - and also age they focus on learning through play which one of the most decent”. In an academic has created this want to learn in him. It’s such hothouse he has flourished by being himself, a difference from his previous exposure to and his early years at the Dharma Primary learning elsewhere which I could see left him School enabled that in no small part.” stressed and fearful. I notice now how keen he is to progress in things he finds difficult “My daughter has grown in confidence, she rather than feel overwhelmed. It’s such a huge is happy, loves learning and it has all been achievement in not only his relationship with so easy. Children often do better than their learning, but with many aspects of life he’ll peers in other schools and not only reach come to meet as he grows up.” expected levels but go beyond them.” S T A Y I N TOUCH

If you are interested in enrolling your child in our school or nursery, you are most welcome to arrange a further visit at your convenience and/or talk further with our Head Teacher and staff. Please email us at [email protected], or call the school office on01273 502055.

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Explore our website, www.dharmaschool.co.uk

Read our school blog and regular ‘Head’s Up’ column on topics relating to our ethos and curriculum – by our Head Teacher, Clare Eddison.

Our school is governed by a board of trustees, chaired by Jeannette Adair, who can be contacted via The Dharma Primary School, The White House, Ladies Mile Road, Brighton, BN1 8TB.

Look out for our Mindfulness in Education (MiE) Newsletter. If you listed your email address on our event registration form, we will automatically add you to our MiE database (our newsletter is published quarterly). If you know anyone else who might find our newsletter of interest, they are welcome to subscribe via this link: www.dharmaschool.co.uk/mindfulness-newsletter/. (Please note, you can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your email address or send you spam). THE DHARMA PRIMARY SCHOOL

t: 01273 502055 e: [email protected] w: dharmaschool.co.uk

The White House Ladies Mile Road Patcham Brighton BN1 8TB Limited Company No: 2763238 Registered Charity No: 1015691