Curious Minds

Burnley Schools Working Together

Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College and Sir John Thursby Community College are involved in a positive project to increase pupils’ understanding and acceptance of each other.

The two colleges are now just one mile apart since being relocated into new buildings through the Building Schools for the Future programme.  Working with creative education specialists Curious Minds, they are finding innovative ways to openly discuss and celebrate their similarities and differences. 

Afrasiab Anwar Partnership Development Manager from the Burnley School Sport Partnership, based at Blessed Trinity RC College commented on the progress of the project so far: ‘We’re delighted with the progress made in such a short space of time.’

Currently 15 year 8 pupils from each school are working with youth theatre practitioner Karen Barnes (Burnley Youth Theatre) to explore issues around identity, race, faith and peer pressure. 

The late Chris May, Chief Executive of Curious Minds, belived in the importance of such work in our communities and had explained Curious Minds views on cohesion projects between communities and schools: ‘We’re delighted to be working on this creative project.  Our work over the last few years has shown us just how ready young people are to discuss the important issues they encounter on a daily basis.  By following the leadership and enthusiasm that young people can bring we find that schools can make a really valuable contribution to building strong communities. ‘

The schools will continue their collaborative project and then work with Seal Films to produce a DVD which will support teachers to help pupils challenge their preconceptions of others.  The DVD and accompanying resource pack will be launched at a special event at Burnley Youth Theatre during the summer term.

For more information on commisioning similar work through Curious Minds please email: schools@curiousminds.org.uk