Formby school awarded a Gold Award for global citizenship work

Staff and pupils at Trinity St Peter’s school in Formby have been awarded with a Gold Award from Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours Scheme for their global citizenship work. From campaigning about single use plastics and writing to local businesses to raise awareness of Fairtrade to lobbying politicians on global issues, pupils and staff have been working hard to take their place as global citizens. Trinity St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Formby has achieved Gold Award status in Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours scheme in recognition of its wide-ranging steps to love their global neighbour. It is the third school to have achieved a Gold award. The accreditation scheme celebrates schools that are helping pupils learn about global poverty and the Christian responsibility to tackle it, as well as giving them the tools to play a confident part in creating a fairer world. Mrs Pringle, Headteacher and Global Neighbours lead in school, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for the work that we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and, perhaps more importantly, the steps that we can take to address them. Pupils in all year groups learn about global issues across a range of subjects each week and gain a deep understanding of injustice in our world. Our SEA committee work hard to reduce plastic waste along with other pupils who are keen to address environmental issues locally by planting trees and protecting the planet.” “We have a link with a school in Kalule, Uganda. Children in both communities have written letters to find out about how life is lived in another part of the world. Pupils have also been learning about examples of people who faced adversity and overcame this to be courageous advocates for change. Pupils were then inspired to join in with the ‘Send my Friend to School’ campaign to encourage decision makers to work to break down barriers to education in other areas of the world. These stories have challenged the whole school community to think about how each of us can make a difference in our local community and globally. We took part in Christian Aid’s scheme because it gives us a practical way of living out our school vision and values. Our world is increasingly connected and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens.” Caroline Weir, Education Coordinator at Christian Aid, said: “The Global Neighbours Scheme was launched in partnership with the Church of England’s Education Office with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in this world and helping them to become courageous advocates for those who have no voice.” “It’s wonderful to see how staff and pupils at Trinity St Peter’s have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle injustice.” “Christian Aid is also looking to recruit more volunteer teachers locally to go into schools to help us deliver the scheme. If you have experience of working with children and are excited about inspiring a new generation of agents of change, we would love to hear from you!” Any primary school in England can join the Global Neighbours scheme. There are three levels of accreditation: bronze, silver and gold. These are verified by Church of England Education Office assessors, who look for evidence across five areas: school leadership, teaching and learning; collective worship and spiritual development; pupil participation; and community engagement. Anyone interested in finding out more about the volunteer Christian Aid Teacher role can visit www.christianaid.org.uk/volunteering/become-christian-aid-teacher or contact their local Christian Aid office via the website www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved-locally What is Christian Aid? 1. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in around 40 countries at any one time. We act where there is great need, regardless of religion, helping people to live a full life, free from poverty. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance in tackling the root causes of poverty as well as its effects. 2. Christian Aid’s core belief is that the world can and must be changed so that poverty is ended: this is what we stand for. Everything we do is about ending poverty and injustice: swiftly, effectively, sustainably. Our strategy document Partnership for Change explains how we set about this task. 3. Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development. 4. For more about Christian Aid’s work, visit www.christianaid.org.uk