The Pendle Schools Linking Network has been running successfully in the Pendle District for the past four years. Each year, BBPendle has gradually progressed the invitation for more Schools to join what has now become the most established network of Schools who are committed to an agenda of facilitating cross-cultural learning and experience for pupils.
The aims of the network are to;
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To promote joint working between Primary Schools in geographical locations across Pendle which will allow for pupils from a mainly mono-cultural environment to come together for cross-cultural learning and engagement.
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To develop and deepen children and young people’s knowledge and understanding of identity/ies, diversity, equality and community.
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To develop trust, empathy, awareness and respect.
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To provide opportunities for children to meet, build relationships, work together and contribute to the wider community.
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For parents to follow a course of learning alongside their children and become involved in socially active projects which develop cohesive cross-cultural relationships.
Our Programme
Our programme for School Linking has been endorsed by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Education (DfE). 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.
Our network creates real reasons for communicating and is a fantastic way for children to meet and interact with others. Importantly, School Linking also promotes achievement through literacy rich resources and promotes the development of skills of dialogue, communicating across real or perceived boundaries and to develop a vocabulary of shared humanity.
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The Linking Network supports schools to design programmes of work for their curriculum which allow everyone to develop a sense of connection, and therefore to become more actively engaged in the world.
QUOTE
"It is vital that we create as many sustained interactions between young people as possible so that they can be brought out of their comfort zones. Sadly, young people are both the most likely to be victims of hate crime and the most likely to be perpetrators of it. The only way to break stereotypes and misperceptions is to allow people to experience real moments of co-operation, common purpose and, ultimately, friendship. That is why programmes like Schools Linking are so vital".
Department of Communities and Local Government
We use four key questions to structure the Linking work:
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Who am I?
Who are we?
Where do we live?
How do we all live together?
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Principles - Successful linking work can be based on the following principles:
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Equitable benefits for all partners
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Safe but challenging processes
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Meaningful encounters including enjoyment and thought-provoking work
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Creative approaches to learning
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Time and space for reflection between encounters
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Recognition and respect for diversity
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Continuing professional development (CPD) for staff
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Institutional support and sustainable programmes
Why School Linking? - The programme helps:
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Foster understanding of Identity, Diversity, Community, Equality
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Support Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of pupils
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Promote achievement
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Develop social skills
Highlights
Our Members 2019 - 2020
19 Primary Schools and 6 Secondary Schools taking part.
23 Active links involving over 1,700 pupils.
1. St Thomas CE Primary School with
2. Whitefield Infants School (year 2)
3. Wheatley Lane Methodist Primary School with
Whitefield Infants School (year 2)
4. Sacred Heart RC Primary School with
Whitefield Infants School (year 2)
5. St Joseph’s RC Primary School with
6. St Philip’s CE Primary School (year 3)
7. Trawden Forest Primary School with
8. Marsden Primary School (year 3)
Trawden Forest Primary School with
Marsden Primary School (year 4)
9. Holy Saviour RC Primary School with
Marsden Primary School (year 3)
10. Park Primary School with
11. Lomeshaye Primary School (x2 classes at years 3,4 and 5)
Wheatley Lane Methodists Primary School with
Lomeshaye Primary School (x1 class at year 3)
12. Lord Street Primary School with
13. West Street Primary School (year 3)
14. Holy Trinity RC Primary School with
15. Pendle Primary Academy (year 3)
Lord Street Primary
Pendle Primary Academy (year 3)
16. Walverden Primary School
17. Barrowford Primary School (year 3)
18. Castercliff Academy with
19. Great Marsden St John’s CE Primary School (year 3)
20. Park High School with
21. Marsden Heights Community College (years 7 and 8)
22. Pendle Vale with
23. West Craven High School (year 7)
24. Primet Academy with
25. St John’s Fisher More RC High School (year 7)
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