Leicester Secondary Schools Linking

The Leicester Schools Linking Project utilises a programme which has been developed by The Linking Network to connect classes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

There are many local projects delivering Schools Linking across England and Wales - in Leicester it is delivered by Project FREE.

This free project links individual classes from different schools, for a yearlong programme, ensuring mutual benefit for both schools.

Children/young people connect and communicate in different ways, participate in shared activities and exchange work to get to know each other and explore the themes of identity, diversity, community and justice.

This free project is an enjoyable way for young people to get to know others, creates real reasons for communicating and promotes achievement through curriculum rich resources.   

We provide carefully planned, editable lesson plans and resources along with opportunities to meet your link class, both remotely and face-to-face.

Plenty of flexibility is built in to allow you to tailor linking around your subject, tutorial or pastoral programme or a wider  whole school focus

  • Select from a range of alternative pathways.

  • Start at any point during the year.

  • Connect students with students from a different school.

  • Connect groups of students within your own school.

  • Run the programme with an entire year group (it is popular with Year 7's & 8's) or groups of specific students.

  • Run an adapted programme to suit you e.g. as a unit during a half term, or for Enrichment or Transition Weeks.

The process involves two linked groups following the same session and exploring the ideas in their own class. 

They then capture some of their reflections and thoughts to share with their link class. 

The teachers exchange the information after the sessions which are designed to encourage students to reflect and explore the concepts of identity, diversity, community and justice.

Remote meetings and face-to-face meetings can be built in to the programme to suit your circumstances.

All resources to deliver the project to your class are provided free of charge.

Two online teacher training sessions, with your link partner, are provided free of charge.

Continuous support is provided by Leicester Schools Linking Local Area Facilitator, Ruth Sinhal.

However, it is each school’s responsibility to cover the cost of transport when visiting their link class’s school.

What People Are Saying

  • The training and resources are all engaging, informative and fun! The children were excited about meeting new people and getting to know them and do something outside of an ordinary school day!

    — Teacher, Leicester

  • Doing this project has given our students a voice...it awakened them to the concept that diversity is an advantage and they can truly bring their authentic selves into the classroom.

    — Teacher, Leicestershire

  • The children have been incredibly excited and have been very curious about how other children’s lives are different. I have also noticed that the children have developed a greater sense of self.

    — Teacher, Leicester