The BAPS Children’s Forum was founded in 1954 to encourage children to become responsible adults through inspiring activities, events and publications. The Forum in London is based at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden – the ‘Neasden Temple.’
In 2012, the supplementary school was awarded a Gold Award from the National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education (NRCSE) for its “high standards of service in providing supplementary education to the community” – the first supplementary school in the London borough of Brent & Harrow to have achieved the gold standard.
The NRCSE is a national strategic and support organisation for the supplementary education sector across England. They are the ‘national champion for excellence, innovation and partnership in supplementary schools.’
The Forum has once again won a Gold Award following a detailed observation by representatives of the NRC on Sunday 5 June 2016. Evidence was gathered during assemblies and classes as well as a thorough examination of policies. Discussions with pupils, teachers and the school director also formed part of the assessment.
The findings from the visit were documented in a statement prepared by the observer. One of the assessors commented on the “fully engaged and eager students” and the “clear, confident technique [of the teacher]” which contributed to a “most effective and enjoyable lesson.”
The awards from the NRC follow the distinction of The Queen’s Award in 2009 for the Forum’s outstanding voluntary services to the community.
Among its various activities, BAPS Children’s Forum organises a Sunday school to teach Gujarati, in which it has attained a 100% success rate in GCSE exams, with more than half of the students receiving a grade A or A*.
During the weekly classes, some 70 volunteers assist the 350 students. The school also strives to provide value-based education helping young people develop into responsible and respectable British citizens.
Sharing his thoughts on the award, Kirit Wadia, lead volunteer at the Children’s Forum said: “We are very honoured and delighted to receive the Gold Award once again. The achievement is a testimony of the collective efforts from pupils, parents and all the staff. We are committed to providing a positive and rewarding learning environment and hope we can continue to build on this success in the years to come.”
