Pupils from Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School have been exploring the complex issue of ‘British Values’, with a little bit of help from 300 years of history at The Green Howards Museum.
The session included discussions on bravery and service, sacrifice and loyalty, unity and diversity; with pupils encouraged to look at the different aspects of each of these values.
Since November 2014, schools have had to promote British Values. According to Ofsted, British values are: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faith and beliefs and for those without faith.
“It’s widely accepted that the British Values element of the curriculum can pose a challenge for schools,” explains the museum’s Engagement Officer, Carl Watts. “By developing this workshop; using our museum collection and personalities from the regiment’s past as our basis, we can help teachers deliver this learning area in a memorable and thought-provoking way.”
To help explore the theme of remembrance, the class were able to see the very first poppy laid at The Cenotaph following the end of The First World War.
In addition, students got to hold an original Memorial Plaque or ‘Dead Man’s Penny’- given by the government to families who lost a loved one during the war.
“It’s great to see the museum taking an area of the curriculum and offering a session that entirely meets our needs,” says Headteacher, Judy Clarke. “Our pupils have really benefitted from going outside of the classroom to think about some very complex issues.”
The pupils also took the opportunity to learn about family history research; following up on names of soldiers they had provided to us to build a real person from the simple starting point of a name and a number.
Carl visited the Western Front recently. Whilst at the Thiepval Memorial on 11 November, he placed a selection of research completed by pupils about men from the village who feature in Hornby Church amongst the poppy wreaths.The school had created a drawing and a poem for each of the soldiers they had learned about.
Teachers! To find out how we can help your school cover ‘British Values’ here at The Green Howards Museum, contact Carl on 01748 826561.