Schools Linking and SACRE Supporting our children, young people and adults to explore identity, celebrate diversity, champion equality and promote community.

Recap – what does Schools Linking involve… Linking demographically diverse classes, from within this area, based on mutual benefits for each school. Pairs of classes come together for an academic year to explore four key themes: Who am I? – exploring identity Who are we? – celebrating diversity Where do we live? – promoting community How do we all live together? – championing equality

Update Last year we had: [number of schools] schools [number of classes] classes [number of pupils] pupils taking part in our linking programme.

We facilitated… Training and support for staff Pupils exchanging thoughts, ideas, work and self reflection with their link class throughout the academic year Both classes meeting at a neutral venue in the autumn term Each class hosting a visit to their school from their link class This is a year long structured programme rooted in the curriculum. CPD Work in Class Reflection Exchange Information Meet

So what do schools say? [quotes from schools or pupils]

Benefits for the children and young people Offers pupils powerful learning experiences through the opportunity for a year-long link with a demographically different class. Creates a space for children and young people to explore and reflect on how to become more open minded, respectful and achieve greater self-awareness. Supports Faith Schools Linking, giving students of different faiths, beliefs and cultures opportunities to meet and learn from each other. Deepens knowledge and understanding of different beliefs by creating a safe space for children and young people to engage directly with peers from different backgrounds. Supports spiritual development as children and young people reflect on their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest and respect for others.

Benefits for schools and the wider community Helps schools evidence that they are contributing to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils as set out by OFSTED. Helps schools evidence that the curriculum is broad, balanced and relevant and promotes personal development as set out by OFSTED. Contributes to further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling children and young people to acquire an appreciate of and respect for their own and other cultures. Supports schools to build children’s resilience to radicalization by providing a safe environment for debating sensitive or controversial issues.

We hope that SACRE will continue to support and endorse this work. Endorsement Schools Linking has been endorsed by the Ministry for Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Education (DfE) because it is nationally recognised as offering a positive, age appropriate curriculum contribution to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, British values and the Prevent Duty. We hope that SACRE will continue to support and endorse this work.