Creating Spaces for Connection in Calderdale

We are so pleased that neutral venue visits have returned to enrich the Schools Linking programme in Calderdale. Now once again children can meet face to face for the first time in a neutral space whilst also becoming more aware of the rich cultural heritage of their local area. 

Here we share the story of two classes meeting for the first time at the Bankfield Museum in  Halifax, Calderdale. For some, this not only was the first time at the Bankfield museum, but the first time they had ever visited a museum. These neutral venue visits therefore have a dual purpose of providing a safe, neutral space in which to connect, but also to open up the local rich cultural world to them.

At first the nerves at finally meeting their linking partners in person were clear to see, when the children from the two schools came together – eyeing each other across the circle. However, playing the icebreaker games which they had practised beforehand helped to overcome the initial anxiety and gradually the smiles followed and confidence in contact grew.

The children were then divided into two mixed groups and took part in workshops designed to help build the connections between them via collaborative activities.

In one workshop, children asked each other questions and chatted about the things they had in common, before creating ‘name clouds’ for one another. One pair found out that they both played the piano and were learning Taikwondo – quite niche!

Meanwhile in the exhibition celebrating 50 years of Calderdale, the children’s communication skills were put to the test! Each child got the chance to feel an artefact from the museum which they then had to describe to their partners so they could draw what they thought it was. Quite a challenge but great fun. 

They then went on a treasure hunt to find exhibits from Calderdale’s past – working together to use the clues and find the correct object.

All too soon, it was time to reflect on their day and to say goodbye. Highlights and learning were shared before everyone piled onto the minibuses for the trip back to school. After these visits, often children go home and excitedly share about their day at the museum and then bring their families back to see for themselves. The ripple effect of these opportunities can be powerful. Children are now looking forward to visiting each other in their schools as part of the the next phase of their Schools Linking journey. 

Across the country, a wide range of neutral venue visits take place in our Local Areas, similarly providing the wonderful chance to meet, connect and enjoy shared experiences together. In Bristol this includes visits to SS Great Britain and the Arnolfini Gallery. In Luton, children all visit the Stockwood Discovery Centre, in Derby the Open Centre, in Sheffield Graves Art Gallery, and in Oldham Castleshaw Centre and Oldham Gallery. And in Newcastle and Gateshead, visits are hosted at the Laing and Shipley Art Galleries. We value our partnerships with the teams in these spaces. Our aim is that all children on the programme will be able to have these memorable experiences.