Visitor Opinions – Schools (2017)

2019 – 2018 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – 2009 – 2008 – 2007 – 2006 – 2005

Please may I express my sincere and deep thanks to you for your great kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity extended to all of my students yesterday. Tom and I felt it was a very special site visit. 

It was a great honour to be within the Mandir for the Aarti, and thank you for so kindly and so effectively engaging with the class in the Haveli. They learned a great deal from the presentation.

I am most grateful to the Swaminarayan community for your constant kindness. The Mandir remains a profound beacon of hope in a rather challenging world.

Dr Daniel Wheatley
Senior Lecturer, Department of Management
Aracadia University
London, UK, and Philadelphia, USA
28 November 2017

Thank you so much for your hospitality. We really enjoyed the visit and we were very impressed by the beautiful marble carvings and the ornate pictures and statues. The children learnt a lot and they were amazed by what they saw. We would definitely like to bring children to visit in the future.

Fiona Collas
Yeading Junior School
Hayes, Middlesex
22 November 2017

Many thanks for your hospitality towards our children and staff. We were all treated exceptionally well from start to the end. We were late but you all accommodated us easily. Thank you for an informative and enjoyable educational trip. We have also written up about our experience in class and some information has gone out to the parents in our newsletter. The parents were also pleased with the trip and found it a wonderful experience.

Cheryl French
Gladstone Park Primary School
Brent, London
19 November 2017

My students were on the whole very appreciative of their time spent in the Temple, of being able to ask questions about the religion and were particularly pleased to be able to experience the Arti. They wrote some lovely essays about the experience in their recent exams.

We look forward to visiting again next semester. 

Julia Weiner
Senior Lecturer in Art History
Faculty of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
Regent’s University London
19 November 2017

My students and I definitely enjoyed the visit at the Mandir. Some even said it was their absolute highlight of our one-week-trip to London! I hope to return some day with another Student Group!

Esther Lischewski
Gymnasium Kleine Burg
Braunschweig, Germany
11 September 2017

Many thanks for a wonderful visit the other day. Thank you for making the day so special for the staff and pupils of our school. Our school librarian is delighted with the generous gift of the book. I know this visit enlivened our pupils interest and understanding of Hinduism and I would certainly like to introduce other pupils to visit this wonderful Mandir

Chris Farge
Belfairs Academy
Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
26 July 2017

My students and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Mandir last week. We appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, informative exhibit, and lovely experience there.

Becky Becker
Professor of Theatre
Executive Director, Center for International Education
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia, USA
18 July 2017

I just wanted to say on behalf of my staff and boys a big thank you for today. Your colleagues were so kind and welcoming right from the start and this was wonderful. The temple is absolutely stunning and we learnt so much. We are so grateful for the time you took to educate us and also to open your doors to us. We will definitely be coming back.

Zoe Francis
Head of Religious Studies
Shrewsbury House School
Surbiton, Surrey
23 June 2017

Many thanks for another informative, peaceful and welcoming visit to your mandir. Many of our pupils look back to their visit with genuine fondness and, once again, our pupils left full of enthusiasm and very keen to learn more about the Hindu faith.

Hannah Skottowe
Deputy Head & Head of Religious Studies
Rose Hill School
Turnbridge Wells, Kent
22 June 2017

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks for the wonderful experience my students from Shipston High school had on Monday of this week. As they prepare for their GCSE Hinduism exam, they found that so much of their learning fell into place, through visiting the mandir.

I am especially grateful for the hospitality we were shown on such a busy day for you all.

Many thanks to all who welcomed and helped us on Monday.

Richard Harris
Deputy Headteacher
Shipston High School
Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire
21 June 2017

Both the children and the staff really enjoyed their experience at the Mandir. As we approached the Mandir, all you heard was ‘wow’ from every child. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We were all mesmerised by the temple carvings and attending the ‘Arti’ allowed the children to experience something completely different from their own lives. Thank you for a lovely day.

Roxanne Coll
Cromer Road Primary School
Barnet, Hertfordshire
15 June 2017

Thank you so much. We had a wonderful time and we were looked after very well. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience as did the staff. It is a real joy to come to the mandir and a great opportunity for the students too. I would like to say thank you to your lovely staff who were very welcoming and helpful.

We will be back again next year.

Lisa Mckin
Head of RE
The Holy Cross School
New Malden, Surrey
12 June 2017

Saint John XXIII thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the temple.

Jake, Head Boy, said: “It was amazing to see such an exquisite temple in the middle of London! We have been learning about Hinduism in school but seeing the temple bought it to life. I enjoyed learning about how it was built by thousands of volunteers in India and then put together like a jigsaw. I enjoyed observing the praying and the exhibition. Thank you for having us.”

Thank you from all of the staff too. It was very interesting and enjoyable.
Oh and the curry from the restaurant was a big hit!

Nicola Wilson
Year Six Teacher
St John XXIII Catholic Primary School
Shepherd’s Bush, London
24 May 2017

On behalf of myself and North London Collegiate School, I would like to say a really big thank you for making our trip last Friday so wonderful! We so appreciated you organising for us to go the exhibition last minute and the girls learnt so much from it. Our girls now have a context to their learning and are more enthused as a result. We felt warmly welcomed and we all, adults and children alike, thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Imogen Storrs
Year 3 & 4 Form Teacher
North London Collegiate School
Stanmore, London
22 May 2017

We had a had very enjoyable day yesterday at the Mandir. The children were enthralled by the size and detail in all the carvings. They really enjoyed looking round the pillars to find all the gods that we had studied in school. They also commented on how the ceremony made them feel reflective. The video of how and why the Mandir was really good and linked in very well to our school Value this half term of Sharing and selfless acts.

The whole experience was extremely well organised and the staff and volunteers couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly to the adults and children alike. Please pass our thanks onto all involved.

Nicola Roche
St Helen’s Church of England Primary School
Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire
12 May 2017

Thank you so much for our recent school visit which we thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great insight to the Hindu religion. Our guides were very accommodating and informative. We would very much like to come again next year with the new year group and look forward to making another booking with you.

Sarah Hutcherson
Godstowe Lodge
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
9 May 2017

We had a wonderful time and the children went home both amazed and informed. The gentleman who took our workshop was lovely and responded so well and with such gentle good humor to the children. Your staff are lovely.

Sandra Berry
St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School
Maidenhead, Berkshire
7 April 2017

I just wanted to thank you once again for an enjoyable and informative trip. Everyone at the Mandir is extremely helpful and welcoming. The Mandir trip is one of many that we run to various places of worship throughout and it is by far the most well organised and informative day that we have throughout the year. We look forward to returning again next year and for many years to come.

Becky Roadnight
Thornden School
Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire
7 April 2017

Thank you for an excellent visit to the Mandir. I have discussed the presentation and visit with the students and wanted you to know that we feel that the delivery of the talk was pitched appropriately for the group. They found the details about living following the Hindu tradition insightful and informing and this enabled them to assimilate information and consider it in the light of their own experiences. The whole visit enabled everyone to feel welcomed and all were engaged. Thank you yet again for a great experience!

Linda Whitworth
Senior Lecturer in Primary Teacher Education,
Citizenship & Religious Education
Middlesex University
London
3 April 2017

Thank you for yet another wonderful visit.

Here’s what one of the parents who accompanied the trip emailed on our return: “What a wonderful day! Indeed the children were so well behaved and polite which was lovely to see. The temple was stunning and to learn how many volunteers helped build it was truly humbling for us and the children. Instilling the very nature of giving!”

For my part, it was so lovely to be recognised and welcomed so warmly. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the visit so successful. We all had a very enjoyable morning.

Clare Oswald
Thomas’s Day School
Battersea, London
9 March 2017

I would like to thank you so very much for such an enjoyable and interesting day. It was extremely well organised by groups of friendly, kind volunteers. The children were given a small insight and some experience of Hinduism, which we can now work on. Our ‘leader’ very kindly allowed us to use a room for lunch, which was perfect and gave us the chance to enjoy the shop too. We were happy to receive the gratuitous sweets and booklets – thank you.

Jackie Yeulet
St Mary’s School
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
7 March 2017

We enjoyed our trip immensely and the girls got a lot out of it. Thank you for being so welcoming and accommodating.

This was my first visit to the Mandir and I found it not only beautiful and peaceful but extremely fascinating.

Maria Davy
Head of Religious Education
Farnborough Hill School
Farnborough, Hampshire
3 March 2017

Thank you all so much for another most enjoyable educational visit to the Mandir in Neasden. It was another wonderful experience for the pupils and much enjoyed by all. I am sure they will be able to produce a really good coursework assignment as a result.

Please pass on my grateful thanks to the staff and hope to see you again this time next year.

Paul Morgan-Jones
Senior Master
Holmewood House Prep School
Turnbridge Wells, Kent
23 February 2017

Our year 5 pupils visited the Mandir today and had a great time. Our deputy head, who went, gave me very positive feedback and said the guide was very good. Many thanks for your help.

Jill Allen
RE Subject Leader: Years 1-5
Fairley House School
Westminster, London
22 February 2017

We have had a very successful morning at Neasden and once again, the children have returned full of awe and wonder! It was particularly special to be let into the additional room where we were able to see the sacred image of Nilkanth Varni.

As always, a well-run trip which we appreciate all of the guides giving up their time to assist with our experience. We wish you continued success.

M Legg
Head of Middle School
Guyhurst School
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
21 February 2017

We all had a wonderful time yesterday visiting BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. We were made to feel so welcome and enjoyed the information and enlightening film and talk at the beginning. It was so good to hear the facts presented in such a clear and human way. The Temple was stunning and a beautiful peaceful haven. So kind to let others of different faiths observe and be part of your rituals. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all and I will certainly look forward to further visits in the future. A very big thank you from the group from South Thames College.

Alison Brooke Turner
Tutor and Blue Badge Guide
South Thames College
London
15 February 2017

Thank you so much for all your guidance and support during our class visits at the Mandir. Our reception children learnt so much and had a wonderful experience. They enjoyed looking at the architecture, drawings, pictures and the ceremony. This allowed them to speak about the Mandir through first hand experiences. Thank you for the wonderful resources you have provided for us to take away.

Jaspreet Panesar
Khalsa Primary School
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
18 January 2017

As always – thank you!

The morning went so smoothly and due to the fact that we landed in Neasden early, the whole morning went very well.

The gentleman who speaks to us is so friendly and he makes us feel so welcome. The video at the beginning is great, and the exhibition is very informative.

The children loved the visit and have already recommended it to their colleagues for next year. They particularly enjoyed the lunch at the restaurant opposite – everyone looked after them wonderfully.

As an RE teacher, I think it is so valuable to give our children an experience of observing worship in other cultures, and your community succeeds in opening your doors to the public and educating young and old about the values of Hindu faith.

Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you in a year’s time – if not before!

Jane Towns
RE & History Teacher
Bishop’s Stortford College Prep School
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
17 January 2017

Many thanks for your help with our visit which took place on Friday 13th January. We sadly had to make a shorted trip than planned due to unforeseen issues with the times.

May I also take this opportunity to thank you for your most kind welcome and your amazing educational centre. Whilst we were only in there for about 15 minutes it was nevertheless most engaging and most interesting. Thank you so so much! I cannot remember the centre manager’s name but he was the nicest chap and our students thought very highly of him.

Please do kindly indicate if you would be willing to host us again next year as we would like to run the trip again exactly as it was on Friday, albeit with some more time at your amazing temple and ideally to see darshan/arti/puja which we sadly missed.

Richard Louis Ainslie
Sir John Leman High School
Beccles, Suffolk
14 January 2017