Pupils read up to certain points each week and are then led through a classroom session by one of our Health & Wellbeing Officers, discussing these hard hitting topics. The use of literature to facilitate child led PSHE discussion is a relatively new concept, however, has been extremely well received within the schools.
The children will then get to keep the book and workbooks they develop through their involvement, to refer back to when they are challenged in their daily lives.
Hear from Jen Macdonald (Year 6 Teacher at Mereside Primary)
“The book captivates them, they see the similarities with their own worlds and the scheme of work allows them to hide behind those characters to address their concerns and worries about their own lives and upbringing.”
“For teachers, it is an immensely important tool for us to identify the misconceptions and highlight (and tackle) the vulnerabilities of the children who would deem themselves ‘street wise’. The subtlety with which it deals with topics of knife crime, loss, domestic abuse and friendships opens up avenues for exploration in an open forum for the children is fantastic and relatable to children.”
Hear from Dan Freedman, Best selling author of Unstoppable
“I spend a lot of time working with schools and that leap to Secondary is such a huge one at a pivotal time in a young person’s life. How they adapt and develop at that point can have a huge impact on the rest of their lives and also on the wider community.”
“I wrote Unstoppable in the hope that, as well as being a compelling story, it might offer a platform for young people to talk about their feelings and their challenges so I’m absolutely delighted that the Blackpool FC Community Trust are taking the book and running with it in this way.”
“Every time I have met and worked with Ashley, Chris and Jen I have been blown away by their dedication and professionalism. That’s why I’m sure the Unstoppable project is going to be truly ground-breaking. It’s incredible what a community team like this are able to do for the area and its effect will be felt for years to come.”