TLN Assembly and SMSC

ASSEMBLY AND SMSCThis TLN Assembly and SMSC pack suggests ideas for assembly and, or, collective worship that supports spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development.

KEY QUESTIONTLN four key questions ‘Who am I?’, ‘Who are we?’, ‘Where do we live?’ and ‘How do we all live together?’ are accessible in meaning to pupils and are used throughout these assembly plans to deliver breadth of SMSC coverage, supporting planning to promote identity, diversity, equality and community.

ABOUT THE ASSEMBLIESAll the assemblies referred to in this pack have been used in a school, and last 15 minutes. They will, as all assemblies do, require tailoring to a new school context. Various TLN Resources including assembly and lesson plans can be found on www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk.

Key features of the planning are:• ‘Talking partners’ with carefully chosen questions for quality discussion to generate

excellent ideas from pupils. • All adults present to engage with pairs of children to support quality responses. • Access to a screen for song words, pictures and the internet is useful. • Use fascinating, real objects to help dramatise stories.• Listening to, interviewing and hearing the life stories of real people, especially as an on-

going connection to a small group of community members over time, has been found to significantly enhance pupil’s SMSC development.

Each assembly plan includes:• A rationale about what you aim to achieve.• Learning objective(s).• Ideas used to include ‘talking partner’ questions, stimuli used, real objects, interview

questions, reflections and song ideas.

NB. TLN recommends the PSHCE section on www.singup.org for an easily accessible source

of songs - yearly subscription of around £100. TLN recommends The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for Children (widely available through

all good book sellers) as an excellent source of reflections for assemblies.

1Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

COMMUNITY ASSEMBLIES

‘Friends’ Strategy

Allerton Primary School in Bradford has developed an assembly strategy where representatives from the local interfaith centre, local churches and youth workers come together in an assembly they have jointly planned with a teacher from the school.

The assembly visitors, referred to as ‘Friends of Allerton’, include representatives of Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Hindu faiths. Since 2008, the school’s cohesion innovation team and the ‘Friends of Allerton’ have lead assemblies together at least once every half term, modelled on friendship and conversation.

Themes have included ‘Names’; ‘Sports I played as a child’; ’My favourite story’; ‘Places I have lived and belonged’; and ‘How I like to relax’. Members of staff and the visitors share their own experiences on the theme and children reflect on their own preferences thus building in a very relaxed way an appreciation of diversity and identity.

In addition, assemblies are held which focus on one particular faith, with one of the faith representatives leading and the other adults modelling listening and showing respect for difference, or indeed supporting the assembly delivery.

This strategy was intentionally developed to actively model cohesive attitudes and help develop the children’s understanding of diversity and identity. This type of assembly activity is shown to work well in a diverse school such as Allerton Primary, but would be equally successful in other settings.

“What the children see is adults working together and enjoying themselves!”Manjit Kaur, Sikh Faith Tutor “The presence of adults from different communities showing respect and interest in one another and exploring diversity is very powerful for children and staff.”Meg Henry, Lead Teacher

“The doors are open to us all the time and the school feels like a real community partnership. This is a very positive step for preparing children to live and work in the outside world.”Mohammed Mushtaq, Muslim Faith Tutor.

To see a video showing this strategy in action visit http://www.teachersmedia.co.uk/videos/good-practice-in-two-schools

2Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: WHO ARE WE? OUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

Focus: Spiritual Development

RationaleTo develop pupils’ understanding of diversity within their own school and to help them understand that there is more depth to everyone’s story than is visible.

Learning ObjectiveTo enjoy discovering people’s stories about their achievements.

Interviews: Facilitate two-minute interviews with a range of school staff, for example the caretaker, teaching assistants, lollipop person, and ask them to share their greatest achievement with the pupils. Suggest the staff bring a relevant object to show the children, through which they can demonstrate a link to their achievement (e.g. running shoe, badge, certificate ...)

Songs• ‘Into the Sun’ - a folk song written in 2009 by Roger Davies and available on iTunes

Everybody's gonna take it one step at a timeEverybody's gonna make it to the finishing lineComing out of the darkness together as oneWe're gonna walk into the sun

• ‘OK’ - available on www.singup.org Find your place, be the best that you can be… The future’s in your hands, live learn and understand.

• ‘Believe’ - available on www.singup.org

When I look up to the stars … if I can just believe in me.

• ‘Proud’ – a song by Heather Small

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for Children When I feel like a nobodygoing nowhere,make me into a somebodydoing something for you

3Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: WHERE DO WE LIVE? THE PLACES WE HAVE LIVED AND BELONGED

Focus: Cultural and Spiritual Development

RationaleTo develop pupils’ curiosity in others and cultural understanding of the diversity of experience of migration and belonging in people they know.

Learning ObjectiveTo learn where different people have lived and belonged.

Stimulus: Blue Beauty - an amazing powerpoint available on You Tube with music showing earth, during both night and day, from space.

Interviews: with staff and community about where they have lived and belonged placing labels onto a world map. It is particularly important to affirm those who have never moved as well as affirming those who have migrated.

In the school where this assembly was first used, Mushtaq, a faith tutor said: “I call myself a Bradfordian, I went to school here and played in the football team and I was born in Pakistan so I am from Pakistan.” This positive and thoughtful approach is the one to aim for.

Songs• ‘Consider Yourself’ – from the stage production ‘Oliver’ - available on www.singup.org • ‘He’s got the whole world’ – available on www.singup.org

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for ChildrenHelp us to find room in our community for newcomers Help us to find room in our school for newcomersHelp us to find room in our hearts for newcomers

End of Assembly Song

• ‘Introduce Refuge’ - available on www.singup.org - as pupils leave the assembly explaining that the words of this song are about the welcome we choose to give others.

I’ll be your refuge, your shelter, your fortress, I’ll be your champion.I’ll be your refuge, your pilot, your brother, your northern star.Don’t be down-hearted, I’ll be your refuge

4Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: HOW DO WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER?‘STARFISH ASSEMBLY’

Focus: Moral Development

RationaleTo help pupils to understand how they can contribute to society in small ways but that make a positive difference.

Learning ObjectiveExplain that today we are thinking about ways we can make a difference in the world. Teach everyone the actions, and then read the interactive ‘Starfish Story’, which is available on the TLN website via the link  http://linkingnetwork.bml-dev.co.uk/resource/ starfish-story /

Share examples from your own school and local community of people doing something that makes a difference. For example, on my street there is ‘someone who walks up and down the road with a carrier bag and picks up litter every Saturday morning’; there is someone ‘who works in the school and cooks once a month for a local soup run’.

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for ChildrenShare these readings:

I am only I, but I’m still someone. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. Just because I cannot do everything does not give me the right to do nothing. (Motto from an Amish school in Pennsylvania)

We can do no great things, only small things with great love (Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 1910 - 1997)

Ask pupils to turn to talk to the person next to them, and discuss small ways they can think of which would make a difference and make the world a better place.

Songs• ‘Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place if you can’ by

Diana Ross – available on You Tube• ‘Teach me your way from ‘Don’t you know?’ CD by John Froud (Track 9) – a Christian

song • ‘Spread a little happiness’ – available on www.singup.org

5Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: WHO ARE WE?‘NAMES ASSEMBLY’

Focus: Moral and Social Development

RationaleTo develop pupils’ understanding of diversity, through looking at the variety of different names in their school community, and to explore the value of names to themselves and others. This positive view of names is a good foundation to a subsequent assembly that looks at developing understanding about the hurt that name calling can cause.

Learning ObjectiveTo learn about names, their diversity, and the importance of using names as a way to demonstrate friendship.

• Ask someone to act as a scribe and record what is shared about names in the assembly.

• Explain that the assembly is going to be about our names. Names are really important. We use them all the time. Knowing someone’s name is an important step in being friendly, along with smiling.

• ‘Talking partners’. Ask everyone (including all adults) to turn to the person next to them and talk about their name. Ask them several questions in turn. What is your name? Do you know what your name means? Are there any stories about your name? Do you have a ‘nickname’? Who gave you your name?

• Interview a few pre-selected adults from within school or specially invited visitors to school and ask them to share the meaning of their name, who gave it to them and any stories connected to their name etc.

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for Children• Ask the children to think about how important names are to each of us and how

important they are for being friendly and welcoming to others. • Challenge everyone to find out three people’s names today.

May the things I say build trust and friendshipMay the things I do build trust and friendshipMay I set my heart on trust and friendship

Song• You Got A Friend in Me” from Toy Story (Disney) Newman 1996 – available on

www.singup.org• KS1 Welcome song – available on www.singup.org

6Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: HOW DO WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER? PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPORT‘DEREK REDMOND’S STORY’

Focus: Moral and Social Development

RationaleTo develop pupils’ moral understanding of the values of perseverance and supporting others and their interest and empathy for others, using the story of Derek Redmond’s perseverance in injury and disappointment to explore the topics: How can we keep going when things go wrong? How can we help others?

Learning ObjectivePlay the video of athlete Derek Redmond running for gold at the 1992 Olympics. It shows the race, the painful moment when he injured his hamstring, his determination to continue to the finish and his father’s support for him to the finish. The video can be found in the free resources section on www.smsc.orgentitled ‘Don’t give up, don’t give in’.

A recent news interview with Derek can be found on http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/15751770

Songs• ‘Lean on me’ – available on www.singup.org

Lean on me, when you’re not strong, I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. For, it won’t be long, till I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.

• ‘OK’ – available on www.singup.org

The sky feels like its falling, the sun is overdue, life seems so confusing, you don’t know what to do ...Gonna be alright, gonna be OK...

7Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: WHO WE ARE? WHO’S WHO?‘IDENTITY MYSTERIES ASSEMBLY’

Focus: Spiritual Development

RationaleTo develop pupils’ understanding of diversity within the school community and develop curiosity about the lives of others.

Learning ObjectiveDisplay five facts you have obtained from five members of staff. Ask the same five staff to stand as human statues at the front of the assembly holding a number one to five. Can pupils and other staff match the facts to the right people voting by holding up the right number of fingers?

Example Assembly: by Rosie Wilson, Lifeworlds Learning available on the SL website http://linkingnetwork.bml-dev.co.uk/resource/ whos- identity-mysteries-assembly / Songs

• Listen to True Colours by Cyndi Lauper – available on You Tube.

• Explain the song lyrics speak of letting ‘true colours shine through’ – in this assembly you have found something new about someone. ‘We can’t judge a book by its cover and we can’t know everything about people even when we have known them for some time.’

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for ChildrenHelp us to work together as a team-May we respect one another for our different talentsHelp us to work together as a team-May we enable one another to do the best we canHelp us to work together as a team-May we care for one another in good and bad times.

8Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk

ASSEMBLY: HOW DO WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER? WE ARE ALL BORN FREE‘IDENTITY MYSTERIES ASSEMBLY’

Focus: Moral Development

RationaleTo promote moral understanding of human rights and responsibilities, and the way that we all have a duty to uphold the rights of others.

Learning Objective To learn about human rights and how we all have a duty to take care of one another’s rights.

• Show the seven-minute video by Amnesty, produced to introduce the concept of rights and responsibilities. Available at http://linkingnetwork.bml-dev.co.uk/resource/ live-together-born-free / and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pby1KngOhBY - Ask the children to talk to the person next to them about which scene from the video they liked the best and why.

• Explain that ‘We Are All Born Free’ is a book based on the 30 Rights outlined in the ‘The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ and that many famous artists have contributed towards the illustrations in the book. David Tennant from Doctor Who has written the introduction. If you have a copy of the book ‘We Are All Born Free’, show the final picture of an illustration of some characters trying to carry a box labelled ‘fragile’ to a tower in the distance. Explain that the 30 Rights depicted in the book belong to us all and that journey to ensure that that everyone is able to enjoy all their rights is difficult but important.

• Suggest a group of pupils or adults carry a large cardboard box labelled fragile to illustrate the picture and concept in the book. When they are able to safely open the box they could unpack objects to represent the different rights, for example a first aid kit (health), a football (relax), a book and pencil (education), pillow (rest), beliefs (holy books), a toy airplane (leave country)…

Songs• ‘Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around’ – available on www.singup.org• ‘I am a - travelling on the road to freedom’ – part of the Bigsing• ‘I can see clearly now the rain has gone’ – available on www.singup.org

Reflection or Prayer (depending on your school policy)

The Lion Book of 1,000 Prayers for ChildrenWhen I have to choose between right and wrong help me make the right choice and give me peace in my heart…. Do unto others as you would have them do for you.

When I see someone in trouble, May I know when to stop and help, And when to hurry to fetch helpBut may I never pass by, Pretending I did not see.

I am only I, but I’m still someone. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. Just because I cannot do everything does not give me the right to do nothing. (Motto from an Amish school in Pennsylvania )

9Based on original material created by Schools Linking Network supported by the Pears Foundation.

The Linking Network | Margaret McMillan Tower | Princes Way | Bradford | BD1 1NN info@thelinkingnetwork.org.uk | 01274 385470 | www.thelinkingnetwork.org.uk