Pupils take part in interfaith friendship link

Pupils have taken part in a project aimed at bringing children of different backgrounds together and strengthening their understanding of each other.

They visited pupils from Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School in Solihull and Moseley Church of England Primary School in Birmingham, to forge friendships, and learn more about one another’s culture as part of The Faith and Belief Forum’s School Linking Programme.

The School Linking Programme matches students and classes from different cultural or faith backgrounds to explore issues of identity, community and belief during three link days each academic year. The aim of the programme is that pupils should feel confident in communicating and collaborating with anybody, regardless of their faith, belief, culture or background.

Students are able to discuss their differences and similarities sensitively with empathy and reflection, make new friends and break down stereotypes by engaging directly with pupils from different backgrounds.

Principal Rifat Batool said:

“This project is invaluable to both staff and pupils and it is a pleasure to work with both primary schools on this programme. It is wonderful to see the children interacting with each other and forming new friendships.

“The Schools Linking Programme does vital work helping our local communities to understand one another better. There has been a lot of collaborative work and it has deepened our children’s understanding of RE and different faiths. The project has really strengthened our interfaith studies and our pupils gained such a lot.”

Year 3 Liyana Mahmood said:

“I enjoyed meeting people from different faiths.  The children welcomed us into their school with their kind, caring attitude. It doesn’t matter what religion you have as you can be friends with whoever you want to be.”

PUPILS from The Olive School, Birmingham visited Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School in Solihull for an interfaith visit

Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 22nd May 2019 | Posted In: Latest News