Diwali at School: What to Expect and How to Celebrate at Home

The first time my daughter came home buzzing about making diva lamps and rangoli patterns at school, I realised how much richer her understanding of the world was than mine had been at her age. Diwali is one of the festivals many UK schools now mark, and whether or not your family celebrates it, a little understanding helps you support your child and join in the conversation. Here is a friendly guide.

What Diwali Is

Diwali, sometimes spelled Divali and often called the festival of lights, is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, and it is also significant in other faiths. It celebrates themes of light over darkness and good over evil, and is marked with lights, lamps (divas), colourful rangoli patterns, sweets, gifts, family gatherings and celebration. For many families it is a joyful, family-centred time, a little like the feeling of a major seasonal celebration.

Not Only a Hindu Festival

It is worth knowing that Diwali is celebrated across more than one faith, which is part of why schools treat it inclusively:

• Hindus celebrate Diwali with the themes and traditions above
• Sikhs mark a festival at the same time known as Bandi Chhor Divas, which remembers a release from imprisonment and is also celebrated with lights
• Jains also observe Diwali, with their own religious significance

So when a school marks Diwali, it may be acknowledging the celebrations of several communities at once.

Why the Date Moves Each Year

One thing that puzzles many parents is that Diwali does not fall on the same date each year. That is because it follows a lunar calendar rather than the standard Western calendar, so it moves, typically falling somewhere in October or November depending on the year. This is completely normal for festivals based on lunar timings. If you want to know exactly when it falls in a particular year, a quick check of a reliable calendar or your school's newsletter will tell you.

How Schools Mark It

Many UK schools include Diwali as part of learning about different cultures and religions, and to celebrate the backgrounds of pupils in the school. Depending on the school, children might:

• Learn the stories and meaning behind the festival
• Make divas, lanterns, cards or rangoli patterns
• Explore the food, clothes, music and traditions associated with it
• Take part in an assembly or a wider celebration of festivals of light

This is usually about understanding and respect, helping all children appreciate the diverse world they live in.

How to Support Your Child

• If you celebrate Diwali: share your family's traditions with your child, and let the school know if you would be happy to contribute, as many schools welcome families sharing their celebrations
• If you do not: treat it as a lovely chance for your child to learn about others; talk positively about it and enjoy what they bring home
• Ask your child what they learned or made, which shows you value their learning about other cultures
• If there are any activities you have questions about, just ask the school; they are usually glad to explain

Keeping Track of School Celebrations

Because festivals like Diwali move each year and often come with dress-up days, contributions or special events, they are easy to be caught out by. My School Agent can pull the details of celebrations, themed days and events out of the school's emails into a daily briefing and shared calendar, so you are never scrambling to find a diva lamp or a splash of colour at the last minute. Whether or not Diwali is part of your family's year, understanding it helps you share in your child's learning and support the school's celebration of the many communities it serves.