We All Do Good Things: Schools
The Kind Schools Programme works with schools and their local communities to highlight the potential for good in all of us, and to foster acts of kindness. Being kind makes us and the people around us feel better.
In Phase 1 of the project, we worked with every pupil and staff member in three primary schools (as well as parents and the wider community) to see if the arts could be a catalyst for kindness. This whole school approach was led by different lead artists who were given freedom and time to develop their own ideas appropriate to each school’s needs.
Each distinct school uncovered stories of kindness, generosity, courage, dedication, humour and love, and this began a chain reaction of creativity and community engagement.
The project engaged over 1,800 pupils, 100 staff, 19 artists and 2,000 parents and members of the local communities. It uncovered over 500 stories, broadcast a series of regional radio items, produced a 32-page book, a full-colour magazine, staged two public performances, three community exhibitions and was featured on BBC regional news (Look North).
The project was professionally researched and evaluated both quantitatively (Centre for the Study of Group Processes, University of Kent) and qualitatively (Centre for Educational Research, Canterbury Christchurch University).
If I could choose a best bit, it would be all of it
- Pupil
I didn’t want to do it at first but when I finished I was proud. I learnt how to express myself on paper
- Pupil
I believe, through this project, that we have given our children one of the greatest gifts of all - they are now so aware of kindness and the impact it can have on others that they have become more caring, sensitive and empathetic citizens; and I know they will take this with them through the rest of their lives. As the ripples of their kindness spread out, who knows what effect that will have on our local community and the world beyond. It has been a privilege to be part of such an innovative and vital project.
