During the week commencing 24th June, children and young people across England are actively participating in Schools Linking Celebration Week. This event recognises their accomplishments in connecting with other schools and celebrates the partnerships and friendships formed through the Schools Linking project. What Is Schools Linking Celebration Week? Schools Linking Celebration Week is part of a nationwide initiative where classes from different schools come together to build partnerships and learn alongside peers from varied backgrounds and experiences. The key question driving these activities is: how do we all live well together? The Schools Linking Project: How It Works The Schools Linking project takes classrooms on a journey of discovery, identity, and connection. Here is how the process typically unfolds: Pairing Classes: Each class is paired with another from a different school. The journey begins by exploring the question, “Who am I?” Identity Activities: Pupils create and decorate bunting to introduce themselves to their linking partners. This creative work allows them to reflect on their identity and what is important to them. Exploring Similarities and Differences: Before sharing their bunting, they discuss “Who are we?” within their own class, identifying both similarities and differences among classmates. Sharing Work: The completed bunting is sent to their linked class, and both groups begin to get to know each other from a distance. Video Call Introduction: A fun video call is arranged, including games and interactive activities to help build connections in an exciting way. Face-to-Face Meeting: The classes visit one another, offering a chance to play games together and explore different school environments in person. This fosters a welcoming atmosphere and helps ease nerves. Reflection and Celebration: The project concludes with both classes reflecting on what they’ve learned and celebrating their shared achievements. Real Experiences: Urban and Rural Schools Meet Last week, schools gathered for their class visits as part of the Linking Network. One notable example involved a large, urban primary school in Halifax with three Year 3 classes, each linked with a Year 3-4 class from a small rural school nearby. The children had previously met on class visits and received a warm welcome on the day. Every child created a personalised welcome sign for their partner. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as participants strengthened their bonds through conversations, collaborative games, dancing, and outdoor exploration. Reflection: What Do Pupils Learn? Through collaborative projects like Schools Linking, students experience meeting peers from different backgrounds, which promotes understanding and respect. These activities encourage young people to reflect on their own identities, recognize common values, and appreciate differences. Shared games, creative projects, and friendly environments make these connections memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. Classroom Discussion: Questions for Consideration As part of your own class discussion, consider the following: What do you think about the idea of schools linking? Have you ever participated in a similar experience? After reading about the Schools Linking project, would you like your class to take part? How would you answer the question "Who are we?" if your class was linking with another? What unique things about yourself and your school would you share? What do you think the children have learned through meeting and working with students from another school? Further Resources and Opportunities To explore more about this topic, watch the useful video and read stories about Schools Linking. Share your thoughts or participate in current discussions with the wider Picture News community. * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
