The Leicester Schools Linking Project
The Leicester Schools Linking Project utilises a programme which has been developed by The Linking Network to connect classes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
25 local projects deliver Schools Linking across England.
This free project links individual classes from different schools, for a yearlong programme, ensuring mutual benefit for both schools.
Children/young people connect and communicate in different ways, participate in shared activities and exchange work to get to know each other and explore the themes of identity, diversity, community and justice.
Primary Schools Linking
Pupils connect and communicate in different ways, participate in shared activities and exchange work to get to know each other through the exploration of four key questions:
Who am I? – exploring identity
Who are we? – celebrating diversity
Where do we live? – championing community
How do we all live well together? - promoting justice
We provide carefully planned, curriculum-rich lessons in 3 phases, corresponding to the terms of the school year, along with opportunities to meet your link class, remotely and face-to-face.
During Phase 1, children explore their own identities and those of others, exchange work and meet virtually over live video calls. In Phase 2 children take part in social action projects and each class visits their partner class for the day and hosts their partner class in return. Finally, in Phase 3 there is a Celebration Week of activities and an opportunity to connect with schools from all across England who are also taking part in Schools Linking.
There is no charge for this project
All resources to deliver the project to your class are provided free of charge.
Two online teacher training sessions, with your link partner, are provided free of charge.
Continuous support is provided by Leicester Schools Linking Local Area Facilitator, Ruth Sinhal.
However, it is each school’s responsibility to cover the cost of transport when visiting their link class’s school.
Secondary Schools Linking
This free project is an enjoyable way for young people to get to know others, creates real reasons for communicating and promotes achievement through curriculum rich resources.
We provide carefully planned, editable lesson plans and resources along with opportunities to meet your link class, both remotely and face-to-face.
Plenty of flexibility is built in to allow you to tailor linking around your subject, tutorial or pastoral programme or a wider whole school focus
Select from a range of alternative pathways.
Start at any point during the year.
Link students with students from a different school.
Link groups of students within your own school.
Run the programme with an entire year group (it is popular with Year 7's & 8's) or classes or groups of specific students.
Run a adapted programme in many ways e.g. as a unit during a half term, or an Enrichment or Transition Week.
The process involves two linked groups following the same session and exploring the ideas in their own class.
They then capture some of their reflections and thoughts to share with their link class.
The teachers exchange the information after the sessions which are designed to encourage students to reflect and explore the concepts of identity, diversity, community and justice.
Remote meetings and face-to-face meetings can be built in to the programme to suit your circumstances.
All resources to deliver the project to your class are provided free of charge.
Two online teacher training sessions, with your link partner, are provided free of charge.
Continuous support is provided by Leicester Schools Linking Local Area Facilitator, Ruth Sinhal.
However, it is each school’s responsibility to cover the cost of transport when visiting their link class’s school.
Schools Linking Testimonials
“The Schools Linking Project has been wonderful for our children. It has provided them with opportunities to explore diversity within their wider community and build positive respectful relationships. Witnessing the buzz of excitement when the children finally met their linking class and engaged in learning together was reward in itself. Through the game playing and questioning they soon discovered that despite visual differences they had many things in common. They have been thoroughly engaged in all their learning and continue to talk about their experiences with enthusiasm, even expressing their desire to continue with the project as it nears its’ end. In their review of Year 3 the project was by far a favourite highlight of the year! All lessons are well-planned and resourced and include a wide range of activities that can be adapted to suit your classes' needs. ”
Primary School Teacher, Leicester
“We enjoyed going to our linking school as we were able to see their school and how it is different to ours. However, we also found many similarities. The children were very polite, kind, friendly and welcoming. It has been exciting exchanging the work we did individually.”
Year 4 children
Youth Linking Leicester
Youth Linking Leicester is a new programme we are developing as a part of our wider linking work. It connects young people across lines of difference, seeks to challenge stereotypes of other groups and in turn reduce the risk of young people engaging in violence.
We will be pairing up youth groups or groups of young people, to bring them together and break down misconceptions they may have of people from different communities in our city.
We are currently seeking funding for a unique and specific project we are calling Youth Linking Leicester - Friendships across Faith.
Intergenerational
Linking
Intergenerational Linking connects young people with older people in a way that is reciprocal and beneficial to all who take part. Engaging in intergenerational linking is a powerful way to improve and develop skills in conversation, collaboration and empathy.
Through carefully facilitated partnerships, between Older People’s Groups/Care Homes and Schools/Youth Groups, this project is a way to reduce loneliness and isolation and encourage people to become active citizens within their communities..
The project is totally FREE OF CHARGE
Once the partnership has been initiated the younger and older people share information as way of an introduction eg cards, video messages, photographs.
The links are then strengthened through a series of shared activities.
Each partnership is free to focus on areas of particular interest or relevance and engage in activities of their choice. This is ultimately a decision for the two partners to agree on but we will offer free resources and training to all involved so as to make the project as impactful as possible.
Activities might include;
Storytelling- swapping favourite childhood stories
Telling stories of personal experience and identity
Learning skills together and from one another
Reading to each other
Arts and crafts
Weather watching or bird watching
Discussing hobbies and sharing examples
Exploring technology eg face filters, voice recording
Learning words or phrases in other languages
Sharing special events or festivals
Gardening
Telling jokes
This Padlet will show you some of the fantastic ways young people and older people are connecting through this work
Intergenerational Linking Testimonials
“The interaction with children was so powerful it changed the whole mood of the day to a positive one, it gave residents a real sense of purpose, their purpose was to help the children learn through play and they were so happy to do that.”
Wellbeing Manager, Leicester Care Home
“This project began in the depths of the pandemic at a time when care homes were closed to all visitors and subject to additional restrictions and requirements linked to increased infection control. It is therefore staggering that this project has managed to establish links between 18 care homes and schools / youth groups during a period of extreme pressure for the managers of these services for older people. This is testament to the quality of the written communications and the clarity of discussion between the project lead and the stakeholders and the approach of the project lead.”
Deputy Head of Service, Social Care & Education, Leicester City Council