THE learning philosophy at Dharma Primary School bases is rooted in Buddhist principles.

Based in Ladies Mile Road, Brighton, meditating and mindfulness is as much a part of the curriculum as maths and English for the students aged three to 11.

This year, the school has a new headteacher in Cambridge graduate Clare Eddison, who has been accepted with open arms.

She said: “It’s lovely to come into an established organisation with fresh eyes – to celebrate what is so positive and unique about this school, and also to bring in some new ideas for its development.

“From my first day here the community has been unreservedly kind and welcoming.

“The school hasn’t had a head for 18 months as the trustees wanted to be sure of finding the right fit - an experienced teacher with a committed Buddhist practice who can lead the school into an exciting new phase of development.”

The new head only started practising Buddhism at 22, and having leapt over from Shoreham Academy to her new post in September, it has been quite the leap of faith.

“I began practising meditation just after I’d finished university,” she said.

“At 22 I spent 11 months in India, Pakistan and Nepal and studied with HH the Dalai Lama and other Buddhist teachers, which changed the course of my life.

“Though when I returned to the UK I struggled to integrate what I had learnt with ordinary, secular, British life.

“It wasn’t until I was 28 that I fully reconnected with meditation and Buddhist practice, but from that point on it has become a joyful and central part of my life.

“I am interested especially in the ethical nature of Buddhism and how it speaks about the world we live in – about addiction, consumerism and importance of community and personal responsibility.

“It is a living practice that gives you the ability to respond rather than react; the practice of mindfulness provides space to choose the person you want to be, moment to moment.”

The school’s ethos is that pupils leave school with a good heart, sound ethical values and a sense of responsibility combined with the academic and social skills that enable them to make a successful transition into secondary education.

It is hoped pupils will then go on to act in ways that will help to create a more compassionate, intelligent and peaceful world.

Children are introduced to the benefit of stillness through regular meditation practice enabling them to develop a reflective understanding of themselves, their life and the world around them.

The school discusses key Buddhist teachings to help children understand cause and effect, cooperation and change, known as karma, interdependence and impermanence.

But Dharma accepts all faiths and religions.