His Eminence Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche took time out of his Europe-wide teaching tour to speak to staff and students at the Barrington Road school.

Students who visited the Druk White Lotus School in Ladakh as part of a Himalayan trek gave the Buddhist spiritual leader a guided tour of where they study.

Headteacher Richard Palmer said: “It was a great honour to welcome him and to hear his encouragement of our work.

“This week the school celebrates its centenary and His Eminence is the first of a number of distinguished visitors we are expecting this year.”