Children from Hartington have visited their partner school in Sheffield as part of studies into city and countryside cultures and differences.
Pupils from Hartington C of E Primary School went to Lowfield Primary School on Tuesday 17 November to participate in shared activities including a visit to a Mosque and an inner-city farm.
This event came after Sheffield youngsters visited the Derbyshire Dales school back in July where they investigated life within a rural community, discovering more about village landmarks including St Giles Church, the Market Place, Charles Cotton Hotel and the Duck Pond.
Youngsters went to the Sheffield Islamic Centre Madina Masjid Trust where they were given a tour of the Mosque and learnt more about how Muslim people pray.
Children and staff had to take their shoes off as they entered the Mosque and their guide explained the importance and relevance of why Muslim people cleanse before they go to pray. They were shown the wash rooms, prayer areas and the library and learnt more about the Quran and how children start to study the religious text of Islam from a young age.
Hartington pupil Jacob Blackwell, 9, said: “It was interesting to see the Mosque and stunning to learn more about what Muslim people do when they pray and how they worship Allah.”
Teaching Assistant, Judith Flower added: “The Mosque tour was such a great experience, for both staff and the children! We learnt so much about the religious views of Muslim people, how and where they pray and the contents of the Quran.
“The children from Hartington and Lowfield all got on so well and it was fantastic to see them asking questions to develop their learning. As Hartington is a Church School with a strong Christian ethos, it is fantastic that pupils are able to develop their learning about other great world faiths.”
During the afternoon, pupils visited an inner-city farm and Hartington youngsters chatted to their friends about how farming differs in their rural village compared to in Sheffield.
Josh Wright, 9, commented: “We looked at lots of different animals. First we looked at some pigs and there was a female pig called Ethel and she had lots of other friends. They were a rare breed of pig called Large Blacks. Next we went to the sheep, cows, and a horse called Blaze. Then my group went to look at the small animals and I held a guinea pig called Mona-Lisa. I really enjoyed teaching my friends about the sheep and naming all the different breeds”
Lowfield School Council Co-ordinator and Year 3 Teacher, Richard Green said: “The Lowfield children were excited to host a reciprocal visit and were proud to be chosen as school ambassadors. The trip to the Mosque and the inner city farm gave the Hartington children an understanding of the social and cultural activities that our children undertake. The day was a fantastic opportunity to bring two differing communities together again and strengthen the bonds between the schools. The staff and children from both schools thoroughly enjoyed their day together and will continue to highlight and celebrate our similarities and common values.”
Hartington children have used information that they learnt during their visit to create a British Values display for St Giles Church in their village. This will also include facts about Advent, Christianity, New Years Eve and the celebration of Queen Elizabeth becoming the longest-reigning British Monarch this year.