What is Schools Project on Poland?

Schools Project on Poland is a great way for young people to get to know more about Poland, the history of Poland, its links with Britain and the contribution of Polish people to the UK. It is a project in three stages and you can do any or all of them.

This Project involves students finding out more about Poland, its people, its history and the future. It links UK schools and Polish communities in order to promote stronger Community Cohesion, with a focus on the Polish Community.

The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a Green Paper on Community Cohesion last year, and this Project will help support its aims and objectives.

The Project will run from January to mid-September 2019, and all schools with pupils in the age range 8-18 are eligible to take part.

There are three aspects: a historical perspective, a current one and then a forward looking one.

Schools that take part will be invited to a reception at the Polish Embassy in London on September 18th. Full details are in the celebration section of the website projectpolish.com. The project also plans to have a similar event in Edinburgh. In addition there will be a webinar at the end of February so schools can talk to each other about the project, meet the author and also Education experts based in Poland.

The Project has the full support of the British Embassy in Poland and the Polish Embassy in the UK.

Who is the project for?

The project resources have been devised for use in secondary schools, but can easily be adapted for use in a primary context, or in a less formal educational setting. Some teachers are in schools where there is a strong connection to Poland, others may have little direct connection. These resources are suitable for students in all settings. They can be used, for example, in a History or PSHE class in two or three lessons, or they can be used as part of a larger school project. Suggested ‘routes’ through the resources are provided, so that teachers can adapt them to their needs. In addition, materials are in an editable format.

How does the project link to the curriculum?

Schools are required to support students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development in all parts of the UK. In England this is part of the government’s requirement for schools to promote so-called ‘British Values’ and across the UK there is a concern for schools to play a role in developing greater social cohesion. These activities support this aspect of the school curriculum and could also meet some of the requirements of the History, English or Geography curricula.

Coventry Participation

Cardinal Newman school is taking part in this project. Some of their polish students had a great morning in July 2019 talking about all things Poland and celebrating their identity. Maths teacher Mr Rojek did a sterling job teaching Polish history, geography, language and everything really to do with Poland.

Links with Polish student groups

If you would like to develop a connection with a Polish student group, then the Warsaw-based Centre for Citizenship Education is offering to help facilitate this. Please contact the organisation directly using this e-mail address and explaining that you are part of the Project Poland initiative: jedrzej.witkowski@ceo.org.pl.

More Information

The main website is projectpolish.com

If you have any questions about how best to implement the project stages with your students, please contact Helen Snelson via e-mail: hsnelson2@gmail.com.