Services and Support for Schools

Ofsted report a key weakness across the UK is that schools do not enable children and young people to understand and experience themselves as part of a wider multicultural and multifaith society.

Over the past eight years, the Centre has successfully created hundreds of opportunities for children and young people to meet speakers from a variety of faith and cultural backgrounds in schools or other settings. These encounters allow children to experience the reality of religion as a way of living life and identify the values that all religions teach which are central to community cohesion. Through diversity we can see the common thread of human and spiritual values that underpin what it means to be human. These values ensure the future security and well-being of our local and international community.

The Centre can provide and organize the following:

Faith Speakers
(Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh) - Contribute to RE and the wider spiritual, moral, social and cultural dimensions.

Visits
Plymouth’s famous Synagogue, Islamic and Buddhist Centres and Churches, including the Greek Orthodox. A Faith Trail to two or three of these venues can also be arranged.

Guest Speakers
When available and visiting Plymouth, e.g. A Jewish Holocaust survivor, a documentary film maker or cultural performers.

Artefacts/Resources
These can be borrowed from the Centre. The Resources Room is the ideal place for teachers to meet to explore the stories, teachings and insights behind every artefact.

Over half of Plymouth schools subscribe to the Centre through the annual “Trading Fair” process. Because of the benefits to children across the curriculum and beyond, schools are encouraged to secure the annual subscription from within the whole school budget, not just the RE one!

If schools do not subscribe, services may be available at “pay-as-you-go” rates.

“Thank you for your tremendous help and support in making the cultural day so successful we have had the most positive feedback so far.”
Secondary school teacher

“My favourite bit was when people dressed up. We really enjoyed it.”
Sophie, year 3 pupil

“Thank you for coming to our school we learned a lot more about Africa.”
Chelsea, year 3 pupil

“The best bit was when we did the role play of marriage. I liked the shrine and the incense.”
Chantelle, year 6 student

“They thought the stained glass windows and the Torah scrolls were beautiful. I am sure that the visit will help them appreciate the importance of valuing people who follow different religions.”
Primary school teacher following a visit to the Synagogue.

“It is much better to hear about it from someone who has actually experienced it rather than reading about it in a book.”
Nicola, Year 9 student

“The facts and details which you gave made the lesson different to the way we normally work.”
Michael, Year 9 pupil

“No sight or picture of the Holocaust could have brought it home more than meeting a survivor.”
Andrew, year 11 student