Coventry students are taking control of the school curriculum
Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School is tackling taboo subjects through an initiative with the Violence Reduction Partnership
Students at Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School in Coventry are taking control of the classroom through a new initiative with the Violence Reduction Partnership.
Each week sixth formers are teaching year seven's on subjects ranging from gender stereotypes to unhealthy relationships.
It's part of the Change Maker Programme which has been co-created by young people, as part of the My Tomorrow campaign, to ensure the topics discussed in the classroom are relevant to their lives.
It has been funded by a £70,000 grant from the Violence Reduction Partnership, which is rolling out the lesson plan to schools across the region.
The Violence and Reduction Partnership believe this scheme will help normalise conversations around previously taboo topics.
Sixth former Joseph Abercrombie taught one of the school’s first ever sessions which focussed on stereotyping.
Joseph said: “I think because the programme was created by young people and at our school it’s all youth-led by Year 12 students, they see us as role models.
“They talk more openly about the challenges they’re facing as young people because they know we understand.”
Head teacher Sarah Boyle said: “Training our sixth form students to deliver the lessons was important because we want to teach our students to be upstanders.
"This programme is about helping our students develop resilience, resolve conflict and stay safe.
“By introducing the Change Maker programme and dedicating a bit of time every week, we’re creating that safe, non-judgmental space where young people can talk openly about anything that might be bothering them and get advice from sixth formers and school staff. I
"t’s very much a two-way conversation and I think the staff are learning just as much as the students.”
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