What if we were to redraw the world and base countries on values rather than politics. What would our world look like then? What do we want our world to look like?

This was the premise of our new Social Learning programme for Years 7-9 led by Miss Cagnino: How can working together help build the world we want? KS3 social education series is focused on the skills we need to build the world we want around us.

As part of the launch of the programme for Years 7-9, we developed a map using patches of fabric designed by the students to represent what values are important in the world we live in.

Our Years 7-9 pupils created a small piece of fabric in art lessons with their hopes and dreams printed on them in one bold word. Each student was then able to make their mark on the world by piecing together their artwork to create a map.  The ideas on the map ranged from respect and friendship to political kindness and creative innovation.

Over the Spring and Summer Terms, students in all KS3 year groups will be taking part in workshops focusing on how we navigate the world around us with all its complexities.

Year 8 Eve C said, “On my Square, I printed the word love. I chose this word because it encapsulates the many things I would like in our future. I chose the word love because if we all loved ourselves and those around us more, we would have a better and happier world.

If we all accepted love in its many forms and allowed others to love and be loved, we would all find more joy in our lives. If we woke up in the morning knowing that the world was so full of love, it would quiet feelings like envy, hopelessness, and despair. If we all got the love we needed, we would all have better mental health, crime would go down, and we would not need to be anyone but ourselves. That is what I think our future world needs more of, love.”