Teach Primary Issue 19.6

www.teachwire.net | 61 walking timed laps around the grounds while carrying the equipment they would need en route. Pupils were warned to wear suitable clothing and shoes, as the walk would go ahead even in light rain. Donna also wanted all aspects of the pilgrimage to be accessible to everyone, including pupils with additional needs. Two children travelled the route by car; they were able to participate fully at each location and take part in discussions with their teacher en route. Having settled on a route, Donna walked it herself over Easter to check timing and accessibility. “I made a short video of the route to show the children where they were going and what it would be like,” she said. A total of eight stopping points were created: Finchale Priory, a Camino Ingles signpost, a prison, Frankland Farm, Crookland Garden, the pilgrim bridge, and the cathedral green, before the group finally entered the cathedral itself. Toilet points were located at Finchale Priory and Crookland Garden. Knowing that not all children were accustomed to walking longer distances, physical education classes leading up to the pilgrimage incorporated Looking back on the day, Donna says, “It went really well and worked out timewise. We had no significant problems, and I would like to make this an annual event. “Learning outcomes were excellent, too. It provided an experience that the children might not otherwise have had. They learned to work as a group, and about their place in the wider community. We found that pupils acquired a sense of achievement and showed greater understanding of the nature of pilgrimage. “Rev Canon Charlie Allen also came into the school and helped children think though the subject of pilgrimages, including the idea of our life journey as a pilgrimage.” Most importantly, reactions from participants were positive. “The children really enjoyed it and said it was a magical experience,” commented Donna. “They wanted to do it again and felt they had achieved something. Everyone was moved by the day’s events and the resilience of the children. We have also had people from the Camino Ingles in Spain contact us for information about what we had done.” PUPIL 1 “It was truly amazing walking in the paths of faith. Now I am not just a pupil, I am a pilgrim. I am proud of that.” PUPIL 2 “The pilgrimage made me think about who I am and what I believe.” PUPIL 3 “I felt connected to God, happy, and full of joy.” Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist. Donna Donaghy is RE co-ordinator at Blue Coat School. “Children acquired a sense of achievement and greater understanding of pilgrimage” PRACTICALITIES A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE RAIN CHECK Adopting a whole-school approach to a day-long pilgrimage requires lots of organisation and preparation over a long period, in order to ensure success. Have alternative dates available in case the weather makes the event impossible. LET’S DO THAT AGAIN! Blue Coat Primary School’s pilgrimage has provided a clear success case and a proforma, which both Donna and Durham Cathedral intend to reuse for future pilgrimages. Pupils from throughout Blue Coat School had the opportunity to reflect on what pilgrimages mean to them, and what they gained from taking part in their own journey. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and comments included: F EATURE S L E ARN I NG J OURNE Y