A school project teaching pupils to respect diversity across the world has picked up a top award.
Clun Primary School in the Neath Valley has won the prestigious award for their ‘British Council Connecting Classrooms’ project on South Africa.
The project aimed to instil the importance of recognising and respecting diversity and to give the children a greater global awareness.
The school received the award at the International Award Ceremony for Welsh Schools in North Wales recently. It recognised the school’s outstanding work in integrating global themes into the curriculum.
Pupils from nursery to year 6 became involved in a wide range of activities to support the project. From art work and learning traditional South African songs to looking at the geography of South Africa and cooking traditional dishes.
Comparisons were made between the countries which will be published in a book to be distributed to schools in South Africa through the Nelson Mandela Museum.
Pupils were able to talk to people in the community who were active in the Apartheid movement in South Africa and a special South African assembly was held for parents, governors, the local community and local dignitaries.
Council Leader Ali Thomas has congratulated the school and praised the pupils for their efforts.
He said, “It is important that diversity amongst people from different nations is both respected and celebrated.
“Making pupils aware of different ways of life and culture at an early age will lead to more tolerant society in years to come.”
Headteacher, Nicola Morgan, said, “The project was intended to develop links between children in both countries following my trip to visit South African schools.
“The children and the local community embraced the project and developed their learning beyond the school gates.”
Peter Jenkins, Chair of Governors, added, “We were delighted to receive recognition for all the hard work that goes into developing respect and understanding of different cultures other than our own.”
