Walthamstow school children win award for being global citizens.

From working with their link school in Kenya to being a School of Sanctuary in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, pupils at St Mary's have been working hard to take their place as global citizens.

Christian Aid's accreditation programme celebrates schools which are helping pupils learn about global poverty and the Christian responsibility to tackle it, as well as giving them the tools to play a confident part in creating a fairer world.

Leann Valiquette, Deputy Headteacher, said everyone was excited: “We’re delighted to receive recognition for the efforts we’ve made, as a school community, in raising awareness about the extreme inequalities faced by people around the world.

"More importantly, our students are learning how they can take action to address these challenges. Our pupils have grown into courageous advocates for change and are constantly inspired to make a difference.

“We are confident that, by the time our children leave us at the age of 11, they will possess the knowledge and confidence to confront injustice head-on and make the world a better place.

“Our pupils are continually inspired by real-life examples of individuals who overcame adversity and fought for change. As the world grows ever more connected, it’s our hope they will continue to grow into responsible, compassionate global citizens who care deeply about issues that matter to them.”

Alison Brown, Global Neighbours Schools Programme Officer at Christian Aid, said: “The Global Neighbours Scheme was launched in partnership with the Church of England’s Education Office with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in this world and helping them to become courageous advocates for change.

“Any primary school in England can join the Global Neighbours scheme. There are three levels of accreditation: bronze, silver and gold. These are verified by independent assessors, who look for evidence across five areas: school leadership, teaching and learning; collective worship and spiritual development; pupil participation; and community engagement.”

Eloise Jackson, one of the leading teachers in the scheme at the Genesis Education Trust, shared her delight: “I am immensely proud of our entire school community.

"This award reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work of our students, who have shown unwavering commitment to raising awareness of global inequalities.

"Throughout this project, I have had the privilege of witnessing our children develop into thoughtful, compassionate advocates who genuinely care about the world around them.”