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Great news!
We have the funding to run this fantastic programme again in the 2021-22 school year! 
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The Derby Schools Linking Programme aims to bring communities together by linking schools from across Derby and Derbyshire. We bring together two classes from demographically diverse primary schools creating year-long curriculum rich class links for pupils in Key Stage 1 or 2. School Linking is endorsed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Education (DfE). It is referenced in the newly-published integrated communities strategy. Want to know more? … Download our latest flyer for more information and contact us to register your school's interest. |
Want to know more about this programme?
Read the article "Inclusive, Interactive, Flexible and Outdoors: Linking in Derby"
on The Linking Network website.
Read the article "Inclusive, Interactive, Flexible and Outdoors: Linking in Derby"
on The Linking Network website.
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Sept 2020-July 2021 - Derby Schools Linking Programme
It's linking ... but not as we know it!!! Our fourth year for the Derby Schools Linking Programme - but, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, we will not be able to run this year's programme in the same way as before! After most of our links from the previous year had signed up to continue on the programme, it soon became apparent that the pressures on schools and staff would be far too much and a considerable percentage of our schools made the decision to put their linking on hold. As mentioned before, The Linking Network prepared a wonderful selection of resources to ensure that a virtual linking programme would not put too much pressure on school staff, but still remain an enjoyable programme for staff and children to be part of. We started this linking year off with virtual CPD1 in November and December - we had to be run several sessions to ensure that all teachers were able to join in and plan with their linking partner. What a difficult term Spring turned out to be! Many of our linking schools had planned to start their virtual linking in January ... then we went into lockdown again! Some schools let us know that they have managed to get some of the activities done - a few told us that they wish to defer until the new school year. We are now planning for our 2021-22 linking year. This will begin as virtual linking but we are hopeful that schools will be able to visit each other in the Spring and Summer terms - fingers and toes all crossed! We would like to thank all of the schools who have managed to participate in even a small linking project this year - it has been such a challenge and we hope to welcome you on our programme next year. |
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Sept 2019-July 2020 - Derby Schools Linking Programme
The third year of our school linking started off really well.
CPD1 took place in September at Akaal School, where teachers met, were kept up-to-date with the programme and given the opportunity to plan their linking year together.
The teachers also selected the best date for their "neutral venue visit" - once again, this would be a visit to Pride Park football stadium, where the children would meet up for the first time and take part in shared activities together.
The third year of our school linking started off really well.
CPD1 took place in September at Akaal School, where teachers met, were kept up-to-date with the programme and given the opportunity to plan their linking year together.
The teachers also selected the best date for their "neutral venue visit" - once again, this would be a visit to Pride Park football stadium, where the children would meet up for the first time and take part in shared activities together.
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During November and December 2019, nine school partnerships came together at Pride Park football stadium for a day.
After welcome and icebreaker activites, they were separated in to three mixed groups and all had the chance to take part in a carousel of activities - talking about identity and making badges, global issues and the SDGs/thinking about how we are all connected with each other and with the world around us and also a tour of the stadium grounds. Everyone had a fantastic day! 
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As the Spring term began, Akaal School hosted our CPD2, once again, at the end of January 2020.
Plans were made for the Spring and Summer term - continuation of shared theme work and plans to visit each others schools.
Although some progress was made with the linking, the March 2020 pandemic lockdown put a stop to all!
Over the Summer term and beyond, the brilliant team at The Linking Network worked extremely hard to put together a virtual linking programme, so that there would be a solid structure in place for the 2020-21 linking year.
Plans were made for the Spring and Summer term - continuation of shared theme work and plans to visit each others schools.
Although some progress was made with the linking, the March 2020 pandemic lockdown put a stop to all!
Over the Summer term and beyond, the brilliant team at The Linking Network worked extremely hard to put together a virtual linking programme, so that there would be a solid structure in place for the 2020-21 linking year.
Sept 2018-July 2019 - Derby Schools Linking Programme
Our linking programme is running this school year for a second time - with many of the schools from the first year continuing. We added one infant school link and one secondary school link to the mix this time.
Again, starting with CPD1 for the linking teachers, early in the Autumn term, our 2018-19 links then got off to a great start; the children really enjoyed meeting each other for the first time, especially after receiving information from their linking school and hearing such enthusiastic comments from their friends who had taken part last year. Many children were still a little apprehensive at the start of the day, but were soon all feeling positive and thought the day was brilliant! It has certainly expanded the children’s worlds – they are asking about where their partner school is and interested to know more. Children who were quite shy or with additional needs seemed to noticeably get a lot out of this first meeting.
For our 2018-19 programme, we used a similar format to last year, with a few tweaks. We knew that some children were “repeaters”, in mixed age classes, and we needed flexibility to adapt to a wider range of ages and abilities. The ever-popular identity badge workshop and stadium tour were augmented with new activities, focusing on how we are all connected with each other and with the world around us.
One of the happiest moments on our neutral venue days is when the children join each other in the “neutral” zone to eat their lunch together. We don’t put any pressure on the children to do this, they can quite easily stay with their own school friends.
After CPD2, early in the Spring term, linking teachers got on with planning the days where they welcome their partner school. Choosing mutually-convenient dates sometimes turns out to be the hardest part of the project! The Summer term is such a busy one in schools but, armed with the incredible resources supplied by The Linking Network, planning is done and the children enjoy meeting and working together with their link classes again.
Our linking programme is running this school year for a second time - with many of the schools from the first year continuing. We added one infant school link and one secondary school link to the mix this time.
Again, starting with CPD1 for the linking teachers, early in the Autumn term, our 2018-19 links then got off to a great start; the children really enjoyed meeting each other for the first time, especially after receiving information from their linking school and hearing such enthusiastic comments from their friends who had taken part last year. Many children were still a little apprehensive at the start of the day, but were soon all feeling positive and thought the day was brilliant! It has certainly expanded the children’s worlds – they are asking about where their partner school is and interested to know more. Children who were quite shy or with additional needs seemed to noticeably get a lot out of this first meeting.
For our 2018-19 programme, we used a similar format to last year, with a few tweaks. We knew that some children were “repeaters”, in mixed age classes, and we needed flexibility to adapt to a wider range of ages and abilities. The ever-popular identity badge workshop and stadium tour were augmented with new activities, focusing on how we are all connected with each other and with the world around us.
One of the happiest moments on our neutral venue days is when the children join each other in the “neutral” zone to eat their lunch together. We don’t put any pressure on the children to do this, they can quite easily stay with their own school friends.
After CPD2, early in the Spring term, linking teachers got on with planning the days where they welcome their partner school. Choosing mutually-convenient dates sometimes turns out to be the hardest part of the project! The Summer term is such a busy one in schools but, armed with the incredible resources supplied by The Linking Network, planning is done and the children enjoy meeting and working together with their link classes again.
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Project update - March 2018
Back in January, we held our second CPD day, which was attended by all of the teachers who are participating on the project. After a fun icebreaker activity, led by Sam from The Open Centre, we explored the possibilities that Philosophy for Children can bring to the classroom, helping to develop critical thinking. Teachers then had an opportunity to plan and discuss dates and details for their classes to visit each other. These visits will take place during the Spring and Summer terms. 
Project update - November 2017
We are now in the middle of running our "neutral venue" days, which are being held at Pride Park Stadium. Over the next few weeks, we will be running eight similar days for all of our school links - including lots of identity, British Values and anti-hate crime activities. The children are very excited, and a little nervous, on arrival - but soon start to enjoy themselves, especially when they get to have a tour around the stadium. They leave the day looking forward to meeting up again - at their partner school. 
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Project update - September 2017
Exciting times! We have 16 confirmed KS2 classes from 12 different schools! Our first CPD date took place on 26 September, when the teachers met their link partner for the first time and began their planning. We have dates booked at Pride Park for the classes to meet on neutral territory, with "get to know you" activities, including a tour of the stadium. After this first meeting, the classes will visit each other at their schools and will also be exchanging work with each other. We have received additional funding for this project, from the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Garfield Weston Foundation - this will enable us to enhance the linking experience for teachers and students. 
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About the project
Derby has been chosen as a pilot area for a national project aimed at establishing and sustaining local school linking. Based upon an extensively trialled, cost effective linking model established in Bradford, the programme offers a positive, age appropriate curriculum contribution to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, addressing British values and the Prevent Duty.
The project follows a structured year long programme of curriculum work exploring identity, diversity, community and equality. There are regular opportunities for students from partner schools to meet, discover what they share in common and cooperate together on varied, fun activities. This will include visits to and from your partner school.
Participation builds interpersonal, communication and intercultural skills for students. It develops staff confidence and expertise in supporting the personal and social development of pupils and offering leadership to colleagues in developing an inclusive, outward looking ethos.
Schools participating in the project will receive:
The programme is funded by DCLG and DfE to support schools to get started with linking and provide CPD support.
There will be a fee of £150 per class towards optional (but highly recommended) joint neutral venue activities.
Schools must cover their own transport and supply costs.
Which schools can apply?
All schools are welcome to express an interest – community schools, academies, independent schools, faith schools, special schools, secondary schools.
We are initially looking for 14 Key Stage 2 classes, but may be able to work with a larger number and a different demographic if there is sufficient interest.
Whole year groups, rather than single classes, can participate, if required.
Derby has been chosen as a pilot area for a national project aimed at establishing and sustaining local school linking. Based upon an extensively trialled, cost effective linking model established in Bradford, the programme offers a positive, age appropriate curriculum contribution to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, addressing British values and the Prevent Duty.
The project follows a structured year long programme of curriculum work exploring identity, diversity, community and equality. There are regular opportunities for students from partner schools to meet, discover what they share in common and cooperate together on varied, fun activities. This will include visits to and from your partner school.
Participation builds interpersonal, communication and intercultural skills for students. It develops staff confidence and expertise in supporting the personal and social development of pupils and offering leadership to colleagues in developing an inclusive, outward looking ethos.
Schools participating in the project will receive:
- Two training afternoons for class teachers on developing and planning a successful link, supporting communication skills, dealing with difficult conversations, challenging perceptions and encouraging critical thinking.
- Tried and tested resources and lesson plans to support project delivery across the curriculum especially in literacy, ICT, PSHE
- Opportunity for students and staff to participate in facilitated joint workshops at neutral venues such as Pride Park Stadium and Derby Arena
- Project coordinator support via phone, email or school visit
- School consultancy support which can include input at staff meetings, governor meetings, parents evenings etc with a focus on British Values, SMSC , global learning, local or international linking as negotiated
The programme is funded by DCLG and DfE to support schools to get started with linking and provide CPD support.
There will be a fee of £150 per class towards optional (but highly recommended) joint neutral venue activities.
Schools must cover their own transport and supply costs.
Which schools can apply?
All schools are welcome to express an interest – community schools, academies, independent schools, faith schools, special schools, secondary schools.
We are initially looking for 14 Key Stage 2 classes, but may be able to work with a larger number and a different demographic if there is sufficient interest.
Whole year groups, rather than single classes, can participate, if required.
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Project funded by:
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