Nishkam Trust Brochure

nishkam
school trust
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nishkamschooltrust
Sikh ethos, multi-faith schools
for boys and girls of all faiths and none
CONTENTS
Patron’s message
2
Why choose Nishkam School?
4
A visionary curriculum
6
Curriculum enrichment
6
Why are we different?
7
The 24 Spiritual and Moral Dispositions
9
Patron’s message
As parents, the happiness and fulfillment of our children is close to our hearts. In our own way, we strive
to create families where our children can flourish. We hope for a secure, safe and supportive society,
which will provide for our needs and aspirations. As parents, teachers and other adults, we all have a
responsibility to create ideal communities, which are the building blocks for such a society.
Alongside material happiness and fulfillment, the world’s faith traditions point to a more valuable kind of
happiness which comes about when we go beyond ourselves, placing the needs of others before our
own. Faith-based organisations can play a positive role in helping us become better parents, teachers
and citizens - and most importantly, better human beings.
We draw upon our spiritual heritage and the principle of being nishkam (selfless) to guide the education
of children. Education begins with loving families that create a supportive and inspiring learning
environment around the child. The foundations for learning are laid by the mother and father who are
the child’s first teachers and role models. We believe the parents’ role is not diminished when the child
starts to go to school, but their responsibility in playing an equal part in the education process increases
as the child grows. We also believe that the wider community has much to contribute to the child’s
education. It is the bringing together of parents, teachers and the community that is the corner stone of
our ambition to create a community-led and faith-inspired school which enables all children to flourish,
both academically and spiritually; an education which opens up unimagined possibilities for children.
Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, GNNSJ, the sponsoring organisation, has an international track
record of creating award-winning infrastructures for community development, learning and
volunteering .
Our faith legacy, experience and passion has given us strong foundations to create state-of-the-art
schools, which employ inspirational, highly qualified teachers. Based around an extended curriculum, it
will support each child’s spiritual, physical, intellectual, moral, social and cultural development. It will
enable children to connect with their origins and heritage, to contribute to society locally and globally,
and to play an active role in shaping our shared future. Above all, we envisage a life-changing
educational experience, not only for children, but for parents and teachers alike.
Collaboration between parents, families, businesses, universities and other guiding institutions are vital in
realising this vision. We hope you are inspired by our ambition for children. We invite you to join us in this
shared responsibility to realise our own infinite potential to do more for the common good.
Bhai Sahib Bhai (Dr.) Mohinder Singh
Patron, Nishkam School Trust
2
‘The spark of the infinite Creator dwells within you; recognise your
origin and realise your potential.’
p.441, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh sacred scripture and eternal Guru)
3
Why choose Nishkam School?
The Nishkam Vision
More than Academic Excellence
Nishkam Schools offer excellence in education and inspire in children a passion for lifelong
learning. By recruiting outstanding teachers, we provide learning experiences which build
character and responsibility. The National Curriculum is enhanced and enriched with a focus on
high academic aspiration and progression towards university education.
More than a School
Nishkam Schools will foster communities which actively support children throughout life, both within
and beyond the school gates. We work imaginatively with parents, families and guiding institutions
to help ensure children are surrounded by good role models and mentors. These partnerships
provide children with direct experience of civic institutions, industry and commerce, as well as skills
in research and innovation.
More than ‘Self’
Nishkam Schools are driven and sustained by the principle of being ‘nishkam’- creating a mindset
to serve others without expectation or recognition. We recognise that this selfless practice
promotes humility and unlocks great potential to transform ourselves and the world around us.
4
“Education is not the filling of a
bucket, but the lighting of a fire”
A broad and visionary curriculum
Inspire a passion for high achievement, grounded in humility
Encourages an attitude of loving responsibility towards ourselves and others
Stimulate a sense of adventure
Develop an intrinsic compassionate discipline
Celebrate humanity as one
Respect and revere all faiths
Particular focus on Core Subjects
Maths, English, Sciences
Curriculum Enrichment
To realise every child’s potential
(may include additional languages, debating and public speaking,
sport, music, art and drama and more…)
University Entrance Preparation
In particular, the UK’s top universities (Oxbridge / Russell Group )
Faith Inspiration permeating the week
To promote humility, service and compassion
Embedding the 24 Moral and Spiritual Dispositions throughout school life
To nurture ethical responsibility in all pupils
6
“Fostering future leaders through values learning and school
councils – children undertaking responsibilities and shaping
decisions ethically”
Why are we different?
The Sikh dharam (faith) is emphatic in respecting all faiths and not seeking converts, maximising our
contribution towards a cohesive society. It has a unique multi-faith ethos and the School will reflect this by
positively nurturing children of all faiths and beliefs. Worshiping collectively and within specific faith groups
will be an innovative characteristic of the School, as children learn from faith, not just about faith.
The philosophy of faith will resonate throughout the school week and will not be confined exclusively to
religious education lessons. We believe that our faith-inspired values determine the character of education
and that they should be intrinsic to the positive experience of daily life.
Parents in our current schools have given us feedback on the small things that have made a big difference:
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Collective worship with prayers from Sikh faith and other world faiths – respecting others and developing
a sense of common values
Unique way in which teachers sit together with children at lunchtime creating a family atmosphere
Well equipped with good use of technology
Impressed with raising academic aspiration
Reflection time built into the day allowing pupils to practise contemplation, being content, being
creative and helping others
Providing support to parents with the skills they need to support their children with homework
The rich variety of after school activities which allow children to develop their gifts, talents, confidence
and insight into their unique nature
7
“Nishkam Schools aim to produce lifelong learners, confident individuals,
responsible citizens and compassionate contributors to society”
Our aspirations resonate strongly with the sentiments expressed in a House of Lords debate on education:
‘We are not engaged, surely, in producing just good performers in the market place or able technocrats.
Our task is the training of good human beings, purposeful and wise, themselves with a vision of what it is
to be human and the kind of society that makes that possible’.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, quoting Cardinal Basil Hume in a House of Lords debate, 5 July 1996
8
24 Spiritual and Moral
Dispositions
Compassion
Contemplation
Being curious
& valuing knowledge
Being open, honest & truthful
Being silent & attentive,
& cultivating a sense for,
the sacred and
transcendence
Being merciful & forgiving
Being regardful of suffering
Caring for all creation
Sharing
Being generous
Creativity
The 24 Spiritual
&
Moral Dispositions
Choice
Commitment
Remembering roots
Being loyal & steadfast
Being hopeful & visionary
Being courageous &
confident
Expressing joy
Being thankful
Appreciating beauty
Being imaginative
& explorative
Community
Participating & willing to
lead
Creating unity & harmony
Cultivating inclusion
Identity & belonging
Being fair and just
Being temperate
Exercising self
discipline
& cultivating self
contentment
The school ethos will be guided by the framework of these 24 dispositions, developed by
Birmingham's SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education. Having contributed to
the development of this unique Religious Education syllabus for Birmingham, Nishkam School Trust
continues to actively support its aims and approach.
9
How can I apply?
Please visit www.nishkamschool.org to view and download our admissions guidance.
Please visit www.nishkamschool.org for dates of Parents’ Open Days, and more information
Nishkam: Committed to
the practice of selflessness,
going beyond oneself,
unlocking infinite potential
to do more for the
common good
nishkamschooltrust
nishkam
school trust
MA
H
N N
E E VA M A T U C
I
nishkamprimaryschool
birmingham
nishkam
school trust
MA
H
N N
E E VA M A T U C
I
nishkam
school trust
MA
H
N N
E E VA M A T U C
I
nishkamhighschool
birmingham
nishkam
school trust
MA
H
N N
E E VA M A T U C
I
nishkamschool
westlondon
www.nishkamschool.org