Our Dhamma School
(Heathrow – Middlesex, Aylesbury – Buckinghamshire & Online)
Welcome to the Athula Dassana Dhamma School website. We are very proud of our Dhamma school and hope that you will gain an overview of our educational ethos, vision and values by visiting our website.
Our Dhamma Schools’ main purpose is to educate the younger Sri Lankan generation in Buddhism, Sinhala Language, and Sri Lankan culture. Venerable Wanduramba Kassapa Thero started our Heathrow Dhamma School in 2012 with just eight children. At present, in total, we have more than a hundred students enrolled in our Dhamma Schools.
In January 2022, we opened our second Dhamma School in Aylesbury. In addition to our Dhamma Schools in Heathrow and Aylesbury, we also have an Online Dhamma School for children who cannot attend our two Dhamma Schools.
Heathrow Dhamma School is held every Saturday from 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lampton School, Lampton Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 4EP.
Aylesbury Dhamma School is held every Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hawkslade Farm Community Centre, Orwell Drive, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9YL.
Online Dhamma School is held every Saturday from 2:15 pm to 5:30 pm.
For more information about our Dhamma Schools, please visit the ‘Dhamma School Information’ page at the top menu.
Our Dhamma Schools are part of our charitable trust, SAHANA; a UK Registered Charity (Charity number: 1155139) and regulated by the UK Charity Commission.
How to Enrol?
Enrolments are open for all our Dhamma Schools for anyone over the age of three years (over seven years for online Dhamma School) who is interested in learning Buddhism and the Sinhala language.
Enrolments for Heathrow or Aylesbury Dhamma School:
If you are interested in sending your child\children to our Heathrow or Aylesbury Dhamma Schools, then please complete our Heathrow\Aylesbury Registration Form.
Enrolments for Online Dhamma School:
If you would like to enrol your child\children to our Online Dhamma School (minimum age six years) then please complete our Online Classes Registration Form.
Please note that Online Class registrations are NOT offered to children living within 15 miles of Heathrow or Aylesbury Dhamma Schools as we expect children to attend Dhamma School in person.
Classes we offer
All our Dhamma Schools offer a broad and balanced curriculum that enables children of all ages to learn the life and teachings of the Buddha. Our Heathrow Dhamma School provides the opportunity for our students to sit for examinations offered by the Colombo Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA). If you would like to learn more about what we teach (our syllabus) please visit our ‘Classes’ section.
Buddhism (Dhamma) Lessons
Each of our Dhamma Schools offer a number of Buddhism Classes and children are allocated to classes based on their age. All our classes are conducted in Sinhala Language, but if necessary, our teachers will provide instruction in English to assist children with limited knowledge of Sinhala.
Sinhala Language Lessons
Similar to the Buddhism (Dhamma) lessons, a number of Sinhala Language classes are offered to our children; organized depending on children’s age and ability in the Sinhala language.
Abhidhamma lessons (Currently only available to our senior students at Heathrow Dhamma School)
We have four Abhidhamma Classes currently – YMBA Basic to Senior 2. Every year have approx. 40 to 50 students sitting for YMBA Dhamma/Abhidhamma Examination in the English Medium.
Buddhism in everyday life lessons
A Practical Guide to Integrating and Practicing Buddhism in Everyday Life. To provide proven steps and strategies on how to practice and make Buddhism a part of our young adult’s daily activities. Specifically tailored and explained in a way that can be easily understood and put into practice by our young adults.
Mindfulness lessons
Everyday life can be hectic for today’s children. They’re under more pressure than ever at school. At its most basic level, mindfulness equips children with the skill of training attention by attending to and focusing on whatever is happening at any given moment. Mindfulness is also useful in helping us to address the kinds of worries we all experience. In the case of young people, it can help them learn how to work skilfully with the stresses and strains of childhood and adolescence without being swept away by them. These coping skills then remain with them into adulthood.
Ancient History of Sri Lankan Lessons
The objective of this unit is to introduce our Dhamma School children to the heritage and identity of the society of ancient times and to promote an understanding of how lessons from history can be adapted to the needs of modern life.
How do we assess progress?
Our teachers assess their class children’s knowledge throughout the year. Children will also sit an annual end-of-year exam as part of Dhamma School’s assessment procedures. We think end-of-year exams are important as they allow children the opportunity to demonstrate the highest achievement of which they are capable and competent. Teachers will use the end-of-year exam results to determine the child’s progression to the next stage of the Dhamma School program. We are delighted to inform you that Athula Dassana Dhamma School collaborates with YMBA Colombo, and it is our expectation that all children will sit for YMBA exams (currently, YMBA exams are only available to our Heathrow Dhamma School Children).
Our Teachers
In addition to Venerable Wanduramba Kassapa Thero and Ven Shakyadeetha Mehenin Wahanse, we have a well-educated and experienced pool of volunteers teaching Buddhism, Abhidhamma, and Sinhala Language. All our Dhamma School activities are very closely guided by Venerable Wanduramba Kassapa Thero. We also have access to a Dance Teacher (Traditional Sri Lankan Dancing) and a Music Teacher (Classical Sri Lankan Music).
Safeguarding Children
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and ensure our Dhamma School environment is a safe place for Children. All our teaching, admin and support staff are fully vetted (criminal records checks; DBS). A number of Teachers have received Child protection and safeguarding training, delivered by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Ven Wanduramba Kassapa Thero is our designated safeguarding lead.
Popular Classes
