Celebrating Difference –an exciting new project which will use a specially created interactive website and a programme of workshops and performances led by one of the UK’s leading educational theatre groups to encourage primary school children to think about cultural diversity issues is being introduced in 19 primary schools across Cornwall during March.

A spectacular event to celebrate the whole project involving all the schools taking part will be held at the Royal Cornwall School in June.

The pilot project has been created by the Cornwall Education Development Services (CEDS) in partnership with Twofour Learning and CragRats Education. Aimed at helping schools in Cornwall to promote an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, the first stage of the project involves Key Stage 2 children from 19 primary schools across the county.

The primary schools involved are : Archbishop Benson, Berrycombe, Bishop Bronescombe, Brunel, Cury, Pondhu, Sandy Hill, St Cleer, St Erme with Trispen, St Francis, St Issey, St Martin in Meneage, St Mary’s Bodmin, St Mary’s, Falmouth, St Mary’s RC, Penzance, St Teath, Threemilestone, Trenode, Warbstow and Werrington.

The project is being facilitated by two teachers Kate Harrison, Advanced Skills Teacher from Falmouth Community School and Jane Bickerton, frp, St Columb Minor Primary School plus Richard Wallis from Twofour Learning and Cragrats Education. Sam Wilson from CEDS is Project Manager.

It is based around six main themes :

• Understanding discrimination
• How diverse we are
• Cultural diversity as a positive
• Language and communication
• Why difference matters
• Immigration and emigration

An exciting range of new resources has been produced by Twofour Learning who have set up a new website for the project which can be accessed by teachers and pupils from the schools involved. This includes classroom resources and video clips featuring the Cragrats team and an online Discussion Board to enable the schools to share ideas and their thoughts on the project.

Schools involved in the project have already taken part in an introduction day involving teachers and members of Cornwall’s Equality and Diversity Service. This included presentations from Mary Dornan, the Children’s Services Authority’s Head of School Advice and Support and David Hampshire, County Adviser for Religious Education, Personal Social and Health Education and Citizenship, and a preview of the Cragrats performance and workshop activities which will be touring the schools between March 5th and 21st.

'At CragRats we are passionate about providing learning opportunities that enable students to learn in creative and interactive ways” said Chris Simes, Education Manager for CragRats. “This project has enabled the partners to get students emotionally engaged with the topic, and teachers able to capitalise on their enthusiasm, with an array of innovative new schemes of work. These will help enrich the curriculum in Cornwall, for students across the county, and we are proud to be a part of that.'

‘We really enjoy working with Cornwall Local Authority’ said Richard Wallis, Head of Twofour Learning. ‘The willingness to embrace such an innovative multi-media approach to this project, combining web-based resources, video, and live theatre promises to make for a truly memorable learning experience for all the children involved’.

‘Celebrating the array of cultures we have in Cornwall, and Britain as a whole, is vital in helping future generations to show not just acceptance and understanding, but enthusiasm for the whole spectrum of cultural differences they will increasingly meet as they grow older.' added Sam Wilson, Project Manager, CEDS

The new project has been welcomed by Terry Lello ( Lib Dem) the County Council’s Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families . “This is a truly exciting project which will be of immense benefit and enjoyment to all involved.”

Cornwall Education Development Service is leading the UK in providing online resources for schools with the development of CEDS TV, an online channel which provides teachers in Cornwall with the very latest updates, information and ideas.

The website has individual sections covering all the National Curriculum subject areas, together with additional sections on Assessment, Gifted and Talented provision, Equality and Diversity, Early Years Education, Special Educational Needs, Internationalism and Governors. Each area contains curriculum information and resource suggestions, together with a series of webcasts on specific projects recorded using teachers from Cornish schools.