Nurturing Change-Makers Through Nature-Inspired Learning
“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature, to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature… so that the child may better understand and participate in the marvelous things which civilization creates.”
- Maria Montessori
The Vedanya School, located in the 300-acre Central Park Flower Valley, extends learning beyond the classroom by integrating nature into the curriculum.
More than an institution, Vedanya is a space where academic growth, emotional intelligence, and environmental awareness thrive together, inspiring learners to dream bigger, think deeper, and engage meaningfully with the world.
May we raise children
who love the unloved
things–the dandelion, the
worms and spiderlings.
Children who sense
the rose needs the thorn
And run into rainswept days
the same way they
turn towards sun…
And when they’re grown &
someone has to speak for those
who have no voice
may they draw upon that
wilder bond, those days of
tending tender things
and be the ones.
by Nicolette Sowder
See our Curriculum
See our Fee Structure
See our Brochures
Mindful Learning
At Vedanya, we believe that learning is most meaningful when it nurtures both the mind and the spirit.Our commitment to mindfulness is woven into every aspect of student life, from daily routines to classroom activities. Mindfulness practices encourage children to pause, reflect, and become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
Through our social-emotional learning (SEL) focus, students learn to develop empathy, selfregulation, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others. This holistic approach enables children to navigate challenges with grace and equips them with the tools to build strong, positive relationships throughout their lives.
Through our social-emotional learning (SEL) focus, students learn to develop empathy, selfregulation, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others. This holistic approach enables children to navigate challenges with grace and equips them with the tools to build strong, positive relationships throughout their lives.
Learning in Nature
Vedanya’s curriculum is deeply rooted in nature, enabling students to forge meaningful connections with the earth and its ecosystems. By immersing children in natural surroundings, from gardens to outdoor classrooms, we foster a sense of wonder and respect for the environment.
Our ‘Nature Connect’ programme helps students develop what we call a “wilder bond” – an appreciation for the beauty, complexity, and balance of the natural world. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also instils a sense of responsibility towards preserving the planet. By learning through nature, students gain practical insights into sustainability, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of life, shaping them into environmentally conscious individuals
The Forever Learner / Vedanya School Essentials
At the core of Vedanya’s educational philosophy is the concept of the ‘Forever Learner’ – a child who remains curious, engaged, and open to new possibilities throughout life. We nurture this lifelong learning mindset by addressing the whole child, through what we call the Head, Hands, and Heart approach.
Our vision
To build a learning community which empowers individuals to become leaders of tomorrow and contribute to developing a world of respect, inclusion and excellence.
our mission
We introduce optimum opportunities for our learners, to nurture them as empowered, successful, and most significantly – happy human beings.
Our growing community of self-directed and well-rounded lifelong learners is fostered everyday to be reflective and responsive to the day-to-day experiences and of people around them.
Simrin Bakshi
Non-Executive chairperson
Simrin Bakshi, our founder, wears multiple hats of a learner, businesswoman, award-winning social entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Her passion for art and creative zeal led her to set up her interior design firm, which has been delivering luxurious personalised spaces for exclusive highend clients since 2006.
As a learner, she continuously endeavours to create a more inclusive community by empowering people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are homeless and vulnerable. She leads this vision through various roles as
Patron of Mane Chance, a centre that works with homeless, the vulnerable and those who have experience of being socially isolated.• Patron of Lost Chord (Sheffield). A charity designed to stimulateresponses of people living with dementia through the media of music, song and dance.
• Patron of Rainbow’s End (Sheffield). An charity that she gave new lease of life through fundraising.
• Parton of Solace Women’s (London). A charity which works with vulnerable women, children and young people.
She has established the Alara Foundation which furthers her philanthropic causes in U.K. and India. At the GG2 Leadership Awards 2012 she was awarded ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ and was presented with the ‘European Diversity Champion’ by David Miliband in 2008. Her learnings from working on the front line with a lot of communities led her to identify education as an enabler to create a more empathetic world. She founded Vedanya to create learning spaces which empowers individuals to become leaders of tomorrow by preserving values of kindness and humility.
Nishchint Chawla
PRESIDENT, VEDANYA EDUCATION
Nishchint brings over three decades of learning experiences from the Education, Media and Communication and Private Equity sectors. As the Director at The Heritage Schools, he led the schools’ strategic planning and operations functions. At EuroSchools, as Executive Trustee, he directed and guided the team in curriculum and product development and spearheaded operations. As a board member of The Bal Bharti Public School system, he is a constant mentor to the group’s leadership team and educators.
With his boundless zeal for exploration and learning, he has previously served as the President of the US Operations at Rediff.com. Before Rediff, as COO at Radio Today and managed the launch and operations of RED FM.
An alumnus of Modern School, New Delhi; Shri Ram College of Commerce and The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University USA, he frequently provides his decades of insights and guidance to numerous educational institutions and corporate organisations. Mentoring organisations in the social impact sector is an aspect that’s especially close to his heart.
At Vedanya he drives strategic planning to ensure the curation of continuous and holistic learning experiences in line with the community’s needs and requirements.
SUDESHNA SENGUPTA
DIRECTOR, ACADEMICS
Sudeshna has served as an educational leader for nearly four decades driving excellence across learning communities. She was the English HOD and Guidance Counsellor at St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata, served as the IB Diploma Coordinator at École Mondiale World School, Mumbai and the founder principal of JBCN International Group of Schools, Mumbai. Her expertise extends to curriculum development in various subjects, including English, History, World Literature and Theory of Knowledge.
She has led professional development workshops for educators in language enrichment, assessment procedures, academic honesty, effective communication, curriculum planning, innovative classroom teaching, etc. She was one of the first mentors for the Ignatian
Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP), initiated by the International Council for Jesuit Education in the Indian perspective, which is based on three elements – experience, reflection and action.
At Vedanya, she oversees the development, implementation and evolution of the academic framework, along with the professional development of mentors and educators.
