Krishna Avanti: UK's First State-Funded Hindu School Achieves Ofsted 'Outstanding' Rating

Krishna Avanti Primary School in Harrow, the United Kingdom's first state-funded Hindu school, has achieved an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted, the national education regulatory body. The inspectors, who visited on June 24-25, 2025, commended the school's ambitious educational approach and nurturing environment.

Ofsted's assessment highlighted the school's comprehensive curriculum, with particular recognition for its excellence in early literacy and mathematics programs. The report also praised the school's exceptional support for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

According to Harrow Online, the inspection results were published in September following the summer evaluation. The official report emphasized how students at Krishna Avanti are thriving under the school's high expectations for both academic achievement and personal growth.

"Pupils are happy and meet the school's high expectations for their academic achievement and personal development," noted the inspectors. "The school is ambitious for all pupils, regardless of their background or starting point. Pupils share this ambition. This shows in their exemplary attitudes and efforts."

The report further acknowledged the active participation of students in leadership roles, including positions on the school council, arts council, and as 'eco warriors' dedicated to environmental responsibility. These opportunities have helped create what inspectors described as "an industrious, successful learning environment."

Shriti Gadhia, the school's principal, attributed this recognition to the collective effort of the entire school community. "This report recognizes the high-quality education we provide and the nurturing environment we have cultivated, aligned with our vision to develop spiritually compassionate changemakers," she stated.

Since opening in 2008, Krishna Avanti Primary School has pioneered an innovative educational approach that blends the UK national curriculum with Hindu traditions, incorporating yoga, Sanskrit, meditation, and values-based learning. Despite its religious foundation, the school serves a diverse student population and places equal emphasis on moral development and academic excellence.

The inspection team was particularly impressed by student behavior, describing pupils as "exceptionally well-behaved," enthusiastic about learning, and respectful of others. This positive culture was attributed to the school's strong ethos and leadership team. Teachers received commendation for delivering "high-quality, engaging lessons" with consistently high expectations for all students.

In response to the outstanding rating, the school released a statement expressing their delight: "We are delighted to share with you the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection, in which Krishna Avanti Primary School has been graded Outstanding in all areas. This exceptional achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community—our learners, staff, families, and wider community."