Schools Linking to Develop Connections and Empathy through Culture

Have you ever felt excited about meeting someone new but been worried you may not have anything in common? Those mixed feelings of excitement and worry are common and for some children this can limit their enjoyment of new experiences and friendships. 

We are passionate about giving our children and young people the very best start in life. That’s why our borough is supporting more than 1,000 local primary school pupils to step out of their comfort zone and into new spaces and friendships through their participation in the Schools Linking programme. 

One child from Alkrington describes the programme as ‘incredible because it taught us all about making friends.” 

The programme, which forms part of the national Linking Network, brings two demographically different classes together for a year-long curriculum journey which explores four key questions. 

1. Who am I? 

2. Who are we? 

3. Where do we live? 

4. How do we live well together? 

Children unpick these concepts through a carefully structured programme, rich with cultural activities, including a visit to the M6 Theatre, where linked classes watch a play together and work with their new friends to put on their own performances. Other activities, include visits from local artists at Touchstones where linked classes jointly produce artwork that goes on to be exhibited to the public. 

The children also produce all sorts of exciting things in their own classrooms and exchange this with their link class. This experience not only enables the children to learn more about themselves, and others they also discover that we have more in common than divides us. 

Ewan McPherson, Headteacher Deeplish Academy, shared why his school is committed to the programme. “The Linking Project brings two school communities together to explore culture, identity, and belonging in a safe and supportive environment." 

“By engaging in joint learning, shared activities, and open dialogue, we have been able to foster empathy, curiosity, and confidence in every pupil as they discover the value of diversity and the strength found in collaboration.” 

Rochdale has been part of the programme since 2017. 

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, shared: “We are proud of our long-lasting involvement in the Linking School Programme and the positive experiences it helps to create for our children and young people as we raise Rochdale." 

“Not only does it provide pupils with meaningful opportunities to build strong and powerful relationships with other children within our borough and across the country, it helps them to explore, understand and celebrate diverse backgrounds and cultures."

 "The special connections that they make are an important life experience too and I really look forward to seeing the great impact this continues to have on our children and young people in the future.” 

Here in our borough, we have a pioneering spirit that thrives on collaboration. The Schools Linking efforts show how, when we work together, we create opportunities for understanding and empathy that last a lifetime.