Pupil events

Sing Up For Climate Justice

In May 2025 I partnered with Fischy Music, Cumbria Development Education Centre and Christian Aid's Creative for Climate Justice project to run this event for Primary School pupils in Cumbria.

Nearly 200 children from four schools met to celebrate their community through singing - and then to consider those most impacted by the effects of climate change. Using visual images, music, song, spoken word and art, the children learned how they can speak up for those with no voice, reflecting on the twin qualities of anger and courage to bring hope to bear in the difficult challenges caused by climate change.

Using songs crafted by Fischy Music and Christian Aid's 'Global Neighbours' team, the children called on the adults in charge to listen - 'governments will you listen...we want a fair world for all!', celebrated their ability to make a change - 'I can make a difference, you can make a difference, we can make a difference in this world of ours!' - and encouraged each other to make their voices heard: 'Speak up, speak up, use your voice!'. They also created two powerfully striking banners calling on leaders to listen to their calls for change. 

An international element was threaded through the event which featured children from schools in several countries in the  recording of 'Let Justice Roll Like a River' (link below), and the question 'What Kind of World are we passing on to our children's children's children?' sung in both English and Swahili - the translation having been masterfully worded by partners in Kenya.

In addition, children worked to produce art work around the theme of climate justice which was on display during the week of the event. 

Such important issues - but everyone had a great time and it was fun! - and they're now asking when we're doing it again... Watch this space!

Using Singing to Support Global Links and Climate Education in Your School - May 2025

• In partnership with CDEC, Fischy Music and Christian Aid, I helped to organise a CPD afternoon for teachers and others around this theme. Elements included: 

• When We Sing it Brings us Closer – my research presentation and a case study, showcasing how the school where I work and its partner school in East Africa are using musical links to further their pupils’ empathy, sense of connection and environmental awareness – including live input from colleagues in Kenya

• What is effective Global Learning? -  moving from charity to justice with Alison Hooper from CDEC

• Connecting with the Climate Crisis - creatively supporting pupil wellbeing in this area - with Tim Burdon from Christian Aid's Global Neighbours programme for schools, and featuring their excellent, FREE, 'Climate Feelings' resource produced in collaboration with Blobtree and the Climate Psychology Alliance (download available below).

• Singing to connect – experiencing the power of connection through song - as well as singing songs to support Global Learning, with the able support of Stephen Fischbacher from Fischy Music, we composed a new song together, all about pupil voice!

When We Sing it Brings Us Closer - June 2024

The first training event I helped to lead was held in partnership with Fischy Music  and Cumbria Development Education Centre, and based out of my school.

I presented the research carried out for my dissertation and also led a session on how to make a musical link work in your school.

Some of my East African colleagues joined us online for part of the training to share their experiences, and the Fischy team helped us to make music together!

As a result of this, I now lead a small group of teachers to meet together online each term to share ideas and experience about progress and developments with our musical school linking projects. If you are interested in being a part of this community, do get in touch!