West Lodge Becomes the First World Peace Flame School
In a historic collaboration with the World Peace Flame (WPF) Project, West Lodge Primary School in Harrow has become the very first World Peace Flame School — an inspiring hub for global peace, environmental action, and youth empowerment.
At the heart of this partnership is the school’s WPF lantern, specially designed for educational settings — the first of its kind in the world. It stands proudly as a symbol of hope and unity, connecting West Lodge with a worldwide network of World Peace Flame monuments and communities working for peace.
“The World Peace Flame lantern reminds us that peace begins with us – in our thoughts, our actions, and our everyday choices.”
YESFest: Peace, Planet and Global Connection
Under the guiding light of its WPF lantern, West Lodge recently hosted the UK’s second YESFest (Youth Eco Summit Festival) — a two-day celebration of sustainability, nature connection and peaceful leadership.
Over 100 pupils and teachers from 10 schools in Harrow and Lancashire gathered for:
- Environmental workshops and nature storytelling
- Campfire circles and overnight camping
- Beekeeping and pollinator studies
- A live Zoom Global Gathering with students in Vietnam and India
YESFest was co-founded by Headteacher Jim Dees and peace educator Alex Bell, and is now growing into a global movement — with festivals already hosted in New York and planned for India later this year.
“When we nurture Nature, Nature nurtures us”
“Water contains the DNA of all humanity, across all of the world, for all time” – Sachem Hawk Storm, YESFest Indigenous Cultural Advisor.
Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP):
Living the Flame
West Lodge Primary School participates in the YAP programme along with 10 other schools in Harrow.
The programme is co-founded by Jim Dees, Headteacher, and the Brahma Kumaris. Each school nominates six Year 5 children, aged 9 and10, to be the school’s YAPs.
The programme has 5 events each academic year:
- Peace Education Day – Learning how to create peace within the Self (Meditation)
- Young Peacemakers Conference – Learning how to create peace with others, resolving conflict peacefully, developing inner powers and fostering unity and understanding
- Peace Picnic – Learning about peace in nature and the 5 elements
- Peace Walk – Peace in action in the community. Marking the UN International day of Living Together in Peace
- Peace Festival – Sharing the impact of the YAP programme in schools and the community.
The Peace Walk was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 Sunday Morning Programme (18th May 2025). BBC journalist Vishva Sodhi, a journalist, documentary-maker and producer with Radio 4 facilitated a panel discussion with the West Lodge YAPs on 20th May 2025 with a live audience of 50 and an online audience of 200.
Here are some key messages of wisdom shared:
“Peace is not a weakness, it is a strength” Amias
“Peace is not backing down from a challenge, but approaching it with your head held high”. Molly
“A peaceful mind is a powerful mind”. Saakshi
“Strengthen your peace muscles by going inside to find inner peace, not outer peace”.
Kedaar
“In an argument it’s not that one person wins and the other loses, no-one wins”. Fatima
“I like noise but sometimes quietness is what we need and we can learn to be peaceful in a noisy place”. Dhruvya
During the year the YAPs share their learnings and the Peace Action Plans with their peers in school-wide peace assemblies.
Actions plans have included:
- YAPs leading staff through a mediation at the weekly staff meeting.
- Setting up peace corners in each classroom which include the 5 elements:
Earth (plant), Water pot, Fire (WPF candle), Air (chime), Ether (positive affirmations). - Daily peace moments (meditations) around the WPF monument in the school’s peace garden.
- Using the WPF monument for children to resolve conflict peacefully.