All Different: All Equal Day

Here at Aston Fields Middle School, we play our part in helping our learners to become members of a welcoming and cohesive community. Each Spring we hold our annual “All Different: All Equal” day, in which we build on the work of our wider Character Education programme, helping our pupils appreciate, respect and celebrate the wide-ranging diversity of people’s backgrounds and teach them to build common ground and common values between the different groups within the community.

Ethnic diversity has made our modern British society rich in culture and contributed to our economic, social and democratic development. Our pupils learn that with freedom and diversity comes a need to respect difference. It is important to remember that we are ALL different and it is our differences that make us unique and special, and that is what makes our country so interesting.

During our last "All Different: All Equal" day, our pupils experienced cultures and traditions from around the world:

Year 5 looked at India. They learned about Indian traditions, including Diwali and the reasons it is celebrated. They listened to the story of Rama and Sita and decorated lanterns, using Rangoli patterns. Pupils also learned about India’s traditional clothing before they designed their own and information was shared about Ghandi and the philosophies he lived by. Pupils enjoyed the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of Indian cultures by tasting traditional Indian food and through Bhangra dancing, learning various moves and then working as part of a team, to perform in front of their peers.

Year 6 looked at Australasia and the islands in the Pacific, researching key cities, local customs and main tourist attractions. Pupils explored the origins of Aboriginal art and then used this to influence their own designs of animals or landscapes. They learnt about traditional Aboriginal music. They also looked at issues facing Oceania, from environment issues such as rising sea levels and pollution to the Ozone layer, to the oppression of the First Nation Peoples.

Year 7 looked closely at the islands of the Caribbean. Pupils explored the Caribbean via music, art, food, tourism and games. Pupils tried new exotic Caribbean foods, including dried mango, Jamaican ginger cake and Plantain chips, to name but a few. They also worked together to create music from the region with the help of our visiting musician, Scott, from ‘Glamba’, using traditional drums and instruments. Pupils were encouraged to have a dream by exploring the islands of the Caribbean - creating travel brochures and widening their understanding of that part of the world and showed determination by taking part in some traditional Caribbean games and activities. Finally, pupils thought creatively to produce art work inspired by the flags of the Caribbean.

Year 8 pupils looked at cultures and traditions from the Far East ranging from manga drawing and animation, origami, enterprise, culture and entertainment to puzzles and problem solving. The pupils responded brilliantly to the various workshops and it certainly provoked the importance of understanding, as well as celebrating diversity in our community.

A wonderful day was had, celebrating cultural diversity and sharing important messages common to us all!

Thank you to all the staff and pupils who made it another day to remember.

Pupil Quote: "Every year, we have a day off timetable where we can learn about other cultures, try new things, and learn about traditions and other ways of living around the world.  I really enjoyed learning about what people can eat in the Caribbean."

 Modern Britain Day

Our annual "Modern Britain Day" is designed to further develop our pupils' character and their understanding of essential British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual respect, and mutual respect and tolerance towards those with diverse faiths and beliefs.

Over the years, this annual event has provided our pupils with many opportunities to engage in a range of enriching activities centred around the theme of Modern Britain. These activities have included workshops focused on the factors of global migration, where pupils have created posters and short film clips celebrating life in our diverse nation. Moreover, they have explored the influences of various cultures and religions on our art by designing mandalas from recycled materials.

We have also facilitated discussions about the meaning of being British, which encouraged pupils to delve into key concepts such as liberty, freedom, democracy, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. Over the years, our pupils have expressed their reflections through poetry inspired by Benjamin Zephaniah, street art influenced by Banksy's style, and explored creative music that embody the values we cherish as a nation. Collaborative projects, such as creating a collective artwork inspired by Peter M. Reynolds' book, "The Dot", have also further fostered teamwork and creativity within our school community.

Pupils have learnt about the democratic processes in the UK and had the invaluable opportunity to design their own political parties, emphasising individuality and equality. They participated in mock elections, researched British political history, and created their own charters focusing on pivotal issues such as climate change and environmental protection. A selection of pupils even designed an alternative version of the Union Jack, showcasing their understanding of national identity.

In addition to our creative endeavours, we have confronted the challenges faced by many individuals living in Britain today. Empathy-building activities, such as inclusive sports and collaborative cooking tasks paired with vision impairment experiences, have allowed our pupils to gain insights into the lives of those with disabilities. Furthermore, visiting speakers sharing their experiences of being different have opened our pupils’ eyes to the importance of compassion and understanding.

Throughout our annual Modern Britain Days, our pupils reflect on what it means to be British, focusing on the unifying aspects of our society rather than the divisive elements. It is our goal that they walk away with a deeper appreciation of the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences that define our nation.

Pupil Quote "Every year, we celebrate MBD and get to dress up in the colours of the Union Jack - I loved wearing my red white and blue wig! I also love learning about what makes Britain so unique  and the values we have to accept difference within our society."

Great Britons' Sponsored Walk

Following suggestions from the School Council, all pupils and staff at Aston Fields Middle School, took part in a sponsored walk around the school grounds, completing as many laps as possible in an hour.

Since this day followed our Modern Britain Day, we continued the same theme, with pupils and staff dressed either as a famous Great Briton (past or present) or dressed in the colours of red, white and blue. We were fortunate to have a visit from the ‘suffragettes’, Tim Peake, Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Stanley Matthews, to name but a few!

A tremendous sense of team spirit was shared by everyone who took part and their efforts were rewarded, on completion of the walk, with an ice lolly. The money raised was used to support our library and education surrounding online safety priorities chosen by our School Council.