Our History
Schools Linking started in 2001 in Bradford. Two schools wanted to find ways to support their children to enjoy meeting, talking and reflecting together.
Schools Linking has grown since its inception 24 years ago in Bradford to now have a national reach from Kent to Newcastle through our vibrant network of local facilitators who are embedded in their communities. The first link between two classes began when two Bradford schools came together with a shared belief that children thrive when they have opportunities to meet and learn alongside peers from different backgrounds. This was a unique opportunity for children to share time together to explore what makes them unique and what they have in common and gain the skills to connect with one another in a supportive environment.
A few key milestones from our journey
2001
First link takes place between two primary schools in Bradford with the support of Bradford Council and the local art gallery.
2002
Inspired by the first link, 12 schools in Bradford start their Linking journey and the Bradford Schools Linking programme is established.
2006-2007
First independent evaluation; Schools Linking begins in Tower Hamlets.
2008
National rollout of Schools Linking kicks off with partnership funding from Government and Pears Foundation.
2011
A large scale independent evaluation of Schools Linking is published by NFER.
2014
Training and resources are developed and shared widely to support more schools with their SMSC curriculum.
2017
Nine new areas start Schools Linking, including Rochdale, Burnley and Derby, thanks to a funding partnership between DfE, DCLG and Pears Foundation.
2018
Another six areas establish local Schools Linking, including Leicester and Newcastle.
2019
Pilot of Intergenerational Linking launches in partnership with My Home Life England, supported by the #iwill Fund and The Dunhill Medical Trust. Dulverton Trust begins funding our family engagement in the Schools Linking Journey.
2020
Virtual Linking is embedded into our programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic; Bristol joins Schools Linking.
2021
Social action becomes a core part of Schools Linking using the #iwill principles of high quality social action. A&BS Charitable Fund become a core funder of Schools Linking with an interest in secondary.
2023-2024
Garfield Weston become a core funder; Schroder Foundation start funding Bradford Intergenerational Linking; The Linking Network receives a 3-year investment from the National Lottery Community Fund: UK Fund as part of their priority to bring diverse communities together.
2024-2025
Building on our existing work generously supported by Government and several philanthropic Trusts & Foundations, The National Lottery UK Fund will be funding Schools Linking to expand to Wales, to share learning with Northern Ireland and to keep extending the impact of Schools Linking across England and find ways to weave it into the fabric of local communities.
