New curriculum resources launched telling the stories of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp

  • New curriculum resources launched to introduce young people to the Greenham Common Peace Camps

  •  Supporting History, English and Art and Design curricula

  • Giving a voice to hidden histories allows young people to reflect on important issues and discuss how they can be advocates for the future

  • Additional free programme in Birmingham and Coventry focuses on the story of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of the last Maharaja of the Punjab

  

Feminist arts company Scary Little Girls has launched brand-new curriculum resources supporting teaching staff in delivering lessons about the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp.

On 26 August 1981, 36 people started their 110 mile walk from Cardiff to RAF Greenham Common in protest against the Americans holding Cruise missiles on common land. Over the next 19 years Greenham Common became home to thousands of women who believed they could create change and leave the world a better place making Greenham Common the largest women's led movement since suffrage.

This project helps young people to understand how they can make a difference– reflecting on a time in history where people worked together to petition for change.

Aimed chiefly at primary and secondary schools, the Common Ground Schools Project can help to introduce young people to the Greenham Common Peace Camps and allow them to reflect on the issues that are important to them today and how they can be advocates for the future.

Available until 15 December 2023, this free programme provides an opportunity for school children of all ages to learn all about the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camps from the women who were there - and uncover connections in their communities to Greenham Common.

The resources are also suitable for community groups, SEND teams, pupil referral units and educated-otherwise groups.

The Scary Little Girls team – working as part of their Greenham Women Everywhere project - can work with schools to develop appropriate learning plans, either delivered in your venue or online.

Supporting History, English and Art and Design areas of the curriculum, this is an important opportunity for schools to increase their cultural capital for young people through the exploration of hidden histories, considering stories that haven’t always been represented.

Projects could be small or large - from a wall of hope in the classroom or group space to holding interviews to find Greenham Women in the local community.

Vanessa Pini, director of the Greenham Women Everywhere project and director of Scary Little Girls, said: “Women came to Greenham from across the UK to fight for a better, more peaceful and more equal future. This programme asks important questions. By looking at the past, what can we learn about today? What issues are important to young people today and how can they amplify their voices and be advocates for change?

“These are all part of the curriculum resources we’ve developed, and we’d love to see this rolling out across more schools this autumn.”

The curriculum resources can be supported through online surgeries, online CPD, digital resources, digital sessions and in person workshops in your school (limited availability).

The Scary Little Girls team will be hosting a spotlight event on Common Ground at The National Education Show in Cardiff on 6 October – education staff attending the show are encouraged to come to their session.

Full information on the Common Ground project and how it can work with schools can be found here: https://greenhamwomeneverywhere.co.uk/common-ground/schools/

Schools can register interest in finding out more about the Common Ground project here.

 

 

A new partnership with Historic Royal Palaces this November – workshops available to book now in Birmingham and Coventry

Scary Little Girls are also working in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces to deliver free schools workshops in the Birmingham and Coventry area.

Fire: A Princess’ Guide to Burning Issues tells the story of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of the last Maharaja of the Punjab. Students will explore personal stories in the fight for gender equality and reflect on how they can become advocates for equality today and learn about the lives of people of diverse heritage in 19th Century Britain.

Running daily from 6 – 17 November, schools interested in the Historic Royal Palaces performances can find out more about booking a visit here:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/schools/schools-outreach-performance/

Lauren Webb