Have a look at our gallery of student work ON REFUGEES

Global Issues Curriculum

In an ever-changing world, reduced by the pandemic, globalisation and 24 hour media, the words of Marian Wright Edelman ring true: ‘Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world, better than you found it.’

Lionheart's Director of Curriculum, Alex Petrie, explains how the global curriculum came about in her blog.

Our Aim 

We want to encourage our students - across all of our Leicestershire schools - to be hopeful, to be upstanders and to channel their passion and energy in the fight against injustice to make positive change for the future.

We pledge to support this aim by teaching our students: 

• To understand how they can really make a difference. 
• How they can learn to read on global issues - and read widely.  
• How to talk about these topics and how much words matter.  
• How to listen and how to really hear. 

As we teach, read about and discuss these global issues, we signpost students towards organisations which they can support through further action, however, our intention is to help students understand, pick up empathy, become active champions and ultimately allies for life for vulnerable groups and causes.  

So far, our curriculum has included: 

• Afghanistan, its conflict, the plight of their people and hope for the future. 
• Climate change, the realities of our actions, the responsibilities of world leaders and our pledge to fight against climate change as schools and individuals. 
• Refugees and the traumatic realities faced by many around the world 

With plans to next focus on: 

• The LGBTQ+ community, culture and attitudes, homophobic/transphobic experiences and the impact they have, and how to become an ally.  

Our students have a voice and want people to know that #ItMattersToUs 

TOPIC: Refugees

Whilst learning about the global refugee crisis, student support was overwhelmingly passionate, with thoughtful and heartfelt messages produced by students across all age groups. In response, we took the decision to display their messages on two Leicester billboards, so that the community in which we live - and hopefully beyond - could also hear their voice.

Billboard displays will be live from 12th - 25th February 2022 in Oadby's Asda car park and at the junction of Melton Road/Moira Street. 

As a further demonstration of students' solidarity and support for refugees, Lionheart students undertook a powerful silent vigil at their respective schools.

You can see a gallery of messages of support here