Dhamma School Information

All our Dhamma School classes use a variety of teaching styles and techniques during lessons, including whole class, ability groups, mixed ability groups, and paired working. Children are taught Buddhism and the Sinhala Language, and the level of work is tailored to individual ability.

A broad and balanced curriculum is planned and taught in a happy and stimulating environment. We make every effort to allocate children to classes based on their knowledge and ability.

The syllabus for individual classes was put together by the teachers of the relevant classes under the close supervision of Venerable Wanduramba Kassapa Thero, the principal, vice-principal and the administration team of the Athula Dassana Dhamma School. 

Our Junior School Teachers & Teaching Assistants (Heathrow Dhamma School)

• Mrs Badra Samarasinghe (Beginner Class)
• Mrs Dilina Dias (Beginner Class)
• Mrs Charitha Silva (Level 1)
• Mrs Thulka Vithanage (Level 1)
• Mrs Raeshika A Kankanamge (Level 2)
• Mrs Iresh Pitiyage (Level 3)
• Ven W Kassapa Thero (Level 4)
• Mrs Taniya Jayathilaka (Teaching Assistant, Level 2)
• Mrs Sanjeewani Padma Kumari (Teaching Assistant, Level 2)

Our Trainee Teachers (Heathrow Dhamma School)

We are very proud that some of our students who have earned the YMBA Diploma qualifications are now volunteering as Trainee Teachers at our Dhamma School. This opportunity helps them develop valuable skills such as communication, patience, adaptability, and teamwork, which are essential for their future professional growth.

• Miss Banuli Rupasinghe
• Miss Lehansa Wannaku
• Miss Pahani Silva
• Miss Ileesha Bandara

Dance Teacher (Traditional Sri Lankan Dance)

• Mrs Shashmi Dayananda

*Currently only available to our Heathrow Dhamma School Children*

The Dhamma / Abhidhamma Examination in the English Medium has been conducted by the YMBA since 1948. This Examination consists of six Grades.

This Examination is usually held on the last Sunday of June every year. Certificates and other distinctions are given at the Dhamma School prize giving, which is scheduled for December each year.

Scheme of Examination: The Examination shall be at seven levels.

1. 1. Basic Level (One Paper)
   2. Junior – Part 1 (Two Papers)
   3. Junior Part 2 (Two Papers)
   4. Senior -Part 1 (Two Papers)
   5. Senior Part 2 (Two Papers)
   6. Diploma (Two Papers) – available only via our Online Dhamma School

Children may commence sitting examinations at Junior Part 1 Level. But they must complete all the succeeding Examinations consecutively. Those successful at the senior levels are eligible to take the diploma examination. Those who pass the Diploma Level are eligible to sit the Advanced Diploma Examination, which may be completed in two parts within two years.

Our YMBA Teachers

• • Mr Bandara Wannaku (Dhamma)
  • Mr Seevali Liyadipita (Dhamma)
  • Mr Priyan Gunawardena (Abhidhamma)
  • Mr Piyal De Silva (Dhamma & Abhidhamma)
  • Mrs Nirma Dharmawardene (Dhamma & Abhidhamma)
  • Dr Anuja Perera (Dhamma)

Our Online Dhamma School is held every Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. It is specifically designed and established for children who cannot attend our Heathrow and Aylesbury Dhamma Schools in person.

We offer a limited curriculum: Buddhism Lessons and basic Sinhala Language lessons. We are currently developing additional lessons to expand our curriculum.

Every Saturday, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., our Online Dhamma School children will join our Heathrow Dhamma School via Zoon to participate in the Buddha Vandana and the Dhamma School Assembly. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., children will be in classes learning Buddhism and the Sinhala Language.

Once registered, children can join our weekly Online Dhamma School via https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2958166577.

Our Teachers

• Ven Sakyadeeta Mehenin Wahanse
• Mrs Warunika Senanayake
• Miss Amanda Dassanayake

• Ven W Kassapa (Head – Heathrow & Aylsbury Dhamma Schools & the Management Team)
• Mr Bandara Wannaku (Principal – Dhamma School & Management Team committee member)
• Mr Thilak Dharmawardene (Head – Dhamma School Administration & Management Team committee member)
• Mrs Iresh Pitiyage (Management Team committee member)
• Mrs Ranthi de Silva (Dhamma School Administration team member)

We are a charitable organisation, and our Dhamma School fees and other voluntary contributions cover all expenses.

Over the recent years, the generosity of parents through parent donations has helped us provide a wide range of opportunities and activities for all Dhamma School children to broaden and enrich their education. If you can, please consider making additional donations, as your contribution will make a real difference to our children’s learning.

We do our best to keep our Dhamma School expenses to an absolute minimum. All proceeds go towards covering the cost of classroom hire and other expenses directly linked to the Dhamma School.

Weekly fee: £3.00 or £5.00 (if you have more than one child attending, then the weekly fee is £5.00). The fee is payable once a term, generally at the beginning of a new term. The amount we charge each term will vary depending on how many weeks we hold the Dhamma School.

If you have any difficulties paying term fees, please speak to Ven Kassapa Thero. The situation and the discussion will be treated with the utmost confidentiality; we would welcome your children to our Dhamma School regardless of your ability to contribute.