Local children have been taking part in a diverse and inclusive week-long learning project which has seen them learn about different cultures and languages, and visited by a local MP.

Children at Outwood Primary Academy Park Hill, based on Irwin Crescent, took part in the week-long celebration of diversity which had the overarching focus of ‘Being a good British and International citizen.’

Across the week, the children took part in numerous different activities including local Police Community Support Officers visited the primary academy and delivering an assembly to the children on the tolerance of other faiths and cultures.

A major point of the week was the ‘We All Smile In The Same Language’ event which saw the academy bring together faith leaders from around the region to discuss their faith and culture with the children.

Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism were all represented at the event, with faith leaders discussing their religion with the children allowing the children to learn about different faiths and cultures across the country, while also sampling some of the traditional food of each culture.

Alyson Million, Principal at Outwood Primary Academy Park Hill, said: “We are proud that at Outwood Primary Academy Park Hill we speak 31 different languages, so embracing diversity and teaching the children how to be inclusive is very important for us.

“The main purpose of this week was to show the children how they can become better citizens, and the activities the children took part in showed the vast range that goes into achieving this aim.”

One of the highlights of the week was the year 6 children being invited by the Mayor to debate in the Wakefield Council Chamber. The topic of the debate was single use plastic, as children debated the importance of cutting down on its use to help the environment and protect the planet for future generations.

The Mayor wasn’t the only political figure to be involved in the week as local MP, Mary Creagh also visited the primary academy. The Wakefield MP discussed what makes a good British and International citizen with the children and was also given a tour of the Irwin Crescent site.

Alyson Million added: “We are so thankful to the Mayor for his kindness and generous offer to allow the children to debate in the Council’s chambers. It was such a special moment for them and they were a credit to themselves and the academy with their behaviour and the high quality of their debate.

“We are also thankful to Mary Creagh MP for finding time in her busy schedule to visit us and talk with the children and to answer their questions. They were all so intrigued by the role of an MP and Mrs Creagh MP gave us all an incredible insight into the life of an MP.”

As part of their visit, the Police Community Support Officers worked with year 4 children on the importance of respect. The children took part in conducting traffic calming and displayed the smiley aid to promote respecting the speed limit on the roads around the primary academy’s site.

Getting involved with the week, the year 5 children went to a local care home where they spoke with and read to elderly members of the community. The children played games from the past and spent time chatting with the elderly members of the community as they learnt about respect for elders, before treating them to a performance of the children’s sign language song.

Back at the academy, year 2 children teamed up with local charity Groundwork Wakefield to plant new trees as the children learnt about the importance of clean air. More trees have been ordered to be planted at the academy, as the children and staff aim to keep the air clean.