STUDENTS learned about different faiths and cultures during a special series of events organised by King James’s School in Almondbury.
Around 90 year seven students took part in a variety of events around the theme of community cohesion as part of their personal, healthy, social, health and citizenship studies and other areas of the curriculum.
The day started with a visit to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Prospect Street, Huddersfield, where students learned about the Sikh faith including a tour of the temple and basic information about the religion and the way Sikhs worship.
The temple is one of eight faith centres in Kirklees which are part of the Interfaith Kirklees project which aims to bring together people of different faiths and cultures to help promote understanding and tolerance.
The other centres are: the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Temple at Fartown, Vajrapani Buddhist centre at Highfields, Hanfia Institute in Lockwood, Hindu Society of Kirklees and Calderdale in Zetland Street, Masjid-E-Noor in Batley, Huddersfield Parish Church and The Minster Church of All Saints Dewsbury.
The groundbreaking project is supported by Home Office funding via a ‘Connecting Communities’ grant.
The hour-long visit aimed to introduce students to a faith they were less familiar with and learn about different people’s beliefs and values.
In the afternoon the school staged a variety of workshops for students on several subjects including meditation, rules for life, values and respect.
Assistant headteacher Amanda Costello said the day long-event was cross curricular and part of the school community cohesion agenda.
“It aims to teach respect for people of different faiths and cultures, promoting greater tolerance and understanding,” she added.
