Sanctuary in Schools Project
(www.cityofsanctuary.org/bradford/schools)
Summer School, 2013
Overview:
Bradford City of Sanctuary is part of a national movement that builds a community of
hospitality for those seeking sanctuary in the UK. It is the lead partner in the
Sanctuary in Schools Project. From this year, Bradford Sanctuary in Schools will be
working in partnership with Holy Kapow to offer Summer Schools in the Bradford
district. The Holy Kapow team has over 15 years experience of delivering creative,
imaginative and educational programs for schools. The income from the Summer
School will help to fund the Bradford Sanctuary in Schools project.
The Summer School is aimed at narrowing the gap between disadvantaged pupils and
their peers, giving them the academic tools and emotional skills to navigate the
difficult transition between primary and secondary school. It is also intended to
counter summer loss of learning.
Our Summer Schools will offer a variety of creative, academic and physical activities
that will provide the platform for the young people to:
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reinforce and develop their numeracy and literacy skills
discuss any fears around the transition to secondary school
enable the building of resilience.
We will link the issues around transition to those of welcoming the stranger, to
Bradford and the ideals of Schools of Sanctuary. Being safe and seeking a safe place
(asylum/sanctuary) will be a theme that will run through all activities, most notably in
the Percussion: Rhythm-Poetry-Numeracy activity. It may be possible to incorporate
a “myth-busting” session around asylum seekers and refugees in the five day
programme.
Participation in the Summer School can be included in the portfolio of evidence for
the award of School of Sanctuary.
Activity Areas:
Summer School Programme
1/
2
We will have four main activity areas:
Performance: Circus-Drama-Dance
A mixture of dance, drama and circus skills; leading to the final performance. The
circus skills will include:
Balance: Stilt Walking / Walking Globe / Tight wire
Hand held equipment: Juggling / Spinning plates / Diabolo / Hats
The aim of these activities is to develop resilience amongst the group, demonstrating
that through time and effort we can all develop skills, and also teaching us that it is
okay not to be the best at everything. Due to the nature of the activities, especially the
balance skills, we will be able to have informal chats with the group allowing them to
identify any issues they may have about the transition process.
Creating: Building-Making-Designing
Designing and making drums, shakers and other percussion instruments. Creating
their own “Can of Me”.
In these sessions they will have informal discussion around the theme of identity;
talking about themselves, their ambitions and expectations. They then use the
information to build their “Can of Me” and decorate the instruments. The
conversations help them to get to know each other within a relaxed and informal
setting. The Instruments and “Cans” help to form part of the final mini exhibition at
the final event.
Percussion: Rhythm-Poetry-Numeracy
These will build and expand on the identity work undertaken in the creating sessions.
Lots of games within the teaching of percussion; call and response exercises, rhyming
and counting games, with the re-inforcement of basic arithmetic manipulations. The
young people will be taught simple beats and then encouraged to develop their own
pieces featuring poems, chants and music. As with the other activities, the friendly
and encouraging environment helps to give space for the participants to add their own
personality to the final piece.
There will be an emphasis on themes around seeking sanctuary and safe places.
Sports: Running / Jumping / Playing
An opportunity to run and jump and shout and play: need we say more?
A variety of games and sports throughout the week; both competitive and noncompetitive. These are aimed at building team spirit, demonstrating fair play and
allowing them the opportunity to cut loose and simply enjoy playing. The games will
include; badminton, volleyball, diabolo knockdown, football, Danish long-ball and
various obstacle courses.
Summer School Programme
2/
2
Outcomes:
On a five day programme the group will rotate around all the activities for the first
three days and on days four and five will work together on a performance and mini
exhibition, demonstrating all they have learned during the week. Parents will be
invited to the final extravaganza. Throughout the school, the group will be taking
home questions for their families that will help to form part of the final event. The
parents and children can therefore share the experience of the Summer School. At the
final event, any parents able to attend can participate in making their own “Can of
Me” and join in some circus workshops. On a two day programme there will be a
brief showcase of the skills the group have learnt.
All the activities are suitable for people of all skill levels and can be adapted for those
with special learning needs. The aim of the Summer School is one of playful
engagement: the children can enjoy their summer holidays whilst taking part in
activities that will help to motivate them, help develop problem-solving skills and
boost their self esteem within a fun, secure and safe environment.
Staffing:
We will supply 9 Staff for the School: a coordinator, plus two workers for each
activity area: one leader and an assistant.
Capacity:
We can accommodate up to forty pupils at each school.
Costs:
Two day programme - £5520
Five day programme - £11040
Summer School Programme
3/
2