Pupils say no to conflict in films that show power of peace
PUPILS at a school near Burton feature in new short films about dealing with conflict as they learn about peace.
Their school is one of six which has allowed the cameras in to record youngsters during their lessons.
John of Rolleston Primary School is among ones in England and Wales to feature in a series of short films created by Christian group the Quakers, which is opposed to war. The films aim to show the power of education on peace – and comes as the war in Ukraine rages after Russia invaded its neighbours.
The Chapel Lane school says it is committed to peace education and has been working with the Birmingham-based charity organisation Peacemakers, which is run by the Quakers.
During classes at the school children are being taught how to make peaceful choices in life and how to maintain caring and peaceful relationships. The children learn how to practice talking about their feelings and to listening actively to other people’s thoughts and opinions.
Quakers’ peace education manager Isabel Cartwright said: “We knew from our partners at Peacemakers about John of Rolleston’s commitment to peace education. From its use of regular circle time, to training its children in peer mediation and encouraging a wide variety of sports, staff at the school recognise the value of nurturing a culture of peace”.
Year 3 teacher Samantha Duda Spencer was sceptical at first, but said she could see the positive impact of the classes. She said: “I didn’t think seven- and eight-yearolds were going to be able to talk about peace. They are going to be our citizens of the future…and they need to learn how to handle conflict. And this really does do that.”
They are going to be our citizens of the future...and they need to learn how to handle conflict.
Samantha Duda Spencer
Quakers are a group of Protestant Christians and believe people should “seek and see the light of God in everyone”. Quakers also generally refuse to participate in war, teaching peaceful conflict negotiation instead.
The peace educators also worked with children to create their own animations. These explored what a peaceful school and peaceful classroom looked and felt like.
The school has now adopted peace education into its curriculum after finding it had a long-lasting impact on the children.
Head teacher Richard Simcox said: “If all children had the opportunity to learn peace building skills, and to take part in a curriculum led by peace, supported by peace, then we would have a more peaceful society. We wouldn’t necessarily have less conflict, but we would have better ways of managing that conflict.”