Tower Hamlets
Schools Linking Project

Link to Win: Linked primary schools play in tournament to promote community cohesion

Joint teams from four pairs of Tower Hamlets primary schools participated in a Football and Netball tournament at Mile End Stadium on 30th April 2009 as part of the Tower Hamlets Schools Linking Project

The joint school teams taking part in the tournament were:

Stewart Elizabeth
(Year 4 children from Stewart Headlam and St. Elizabeth’s school)

John Columbia
(Year 4 children from John Scurr and Columbia schools)

Peter Virginia
(Year 4 children from St. Peter’s London Docks and Virginia primary)

Canon Saviours
(Year 5 children from Canon Barnett School and St. Saviours)

Each pair of schools formed four mixed school teams who played in the tournament. The focus of the tournament was on the joint schools team collaborating concentrating on playing well with others from their link partner school. On the morning before the tournament the linked schools met to practice together and discuss tactics. The joint team then travelled together to Mile End Stadium where the tournament took place. Altogether approximately 200 pupils took part. Each joint school team was divided in to 4 smaller teams which then played in 4 pools 3 pools for football and 1 pool for netball. Coaches from West Ham FC refereed the football games and students from Years 8 and 9 at Swanlea secondary school refereed the netball games. There was a good turn out of parents and carers form all schools to support the event. The joint school teams played really well together. Peter Virginia won the Netball tournament and each school received a portable netball hoop as a prize so that the can continue to develop their netball skills. Cannon Saviours were the winners of the football tournament. As a prize each school received a Fair Trade football.

The Humanities Education Centre (HEC) has been running the Schools Linking Project in Tower Hamlets primary schools for the past three years. The Schools Linking Project enables schools that have contrasting demographics or locations, to link with one another to promote active citizenship, anti-racism and community cohesion. The Schools Linking Project began in Bradford in 2001 and is now running in 31 other boroughs in England.

The other school pairs taking part in the Schools Linking Project but who are not participating in the football tournament are:
Manorfield and Stephen Hawking
St. Edmunds and Old Palace
St. Agnes and Bangabandhu
Smithy Street and St. Mary and St. Michaels

The aims of the Tower Hamlets Schools Linking Project are:
• To provide opportunities for children, their families and carers, from different ethnic, cultural, social and religious backgrounds to work and play together.
• For adults who work with the children, to meet to share ideas and broaden perspectives.
• To develop the children’s skills of enquiry, communication and participation.
• To increase the children’s knowledge and understanding about the diverse nature of Tower Hamlets communities.
• For children to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people.
• To provide shared learning experiences which celebrate diversity, dispel stereotypes, remove barriers which cause racism, and which promote a cohesive community.
• For children and adults to work with relevant local experts on sustainability issues, and to work in London’s cultural venues, to enhance the curriculum through creativity and participation.

For further information about the Football & Netball tournament and the Schools Linking Project contact the Humanities Education Centre.