Britain's first state-funded Hindu faith school opened in Harrow today. The Krishna-Avanti Primary School began classes with just 30 pupils - although the school plans to expand greatly next year when it moves into new purpose-built buildings.
The school will offer an education based on Hindu values and beliefs but lessons will follow the national curriculum. Pupils will have the opportunity to practise meditation and yoga, with school lunches following a strictly vegetarian diet.
When the school was approved by Harrow Council last year, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, portfolio holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise, said: "I am very proud at this historic moment in Harrow's history.
"The Hindu community richly deserves to have the choice to send their children to a faith school of their own religion."
The Guardian however has previously reported that the school" favours followers of the Hare Krishna tradition over mainstream Hinduism". It also quoted local Hindus as saying that the school might impose strict Hindu rules by a local sect onto children who have a more mainstream Hindu background.
