By Neele L, Year 12 International Student.
Earlier in the year we were invited to join a Quaker conference concerning education in Bootham school on the 10th of June. Three of our Quaker elders and two other students went on the trip with Barley Hearn our Quaker, Peace, and Global studies coordinator and a Junior School teacher. We left School at around 1:15pm on the 9th and started our estimated journey of 5-hours up to York in one of the School’s minibuses. After 7-hours, two breaks, lots of music and looking out the window, we arrived at our youth hostel and enjoyed a quick dinner, after which we had the opportunity to go into York. What a magnificent city! We strolled through the Old Town, got a look at the York Minster, saw the statue of Elizabeth II and saw many pride flags which made the city feel warm and welcoming.
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast, we were welcomed in Bootham school with open arms and refreshments. The atmosphere was very laid back and it was easy to slide into the schedule. We had gotten a table number with which we would sit for the duration of the conference, splitting our little group into fragments but, honestly, nothing better could have happened as it was a great opportunity for us to get to know the other students also taking part. As well as Sidcot and Bootham, there were other local schools in attendance, and one more school that travelled there for the event, therefore the international spectrum was rich. In the break we had between manifesto writing and speeches, we could sit with many different people and had a chat with them, which was nice and interesting.
As everyone settled in at the assigned tables and we got to know each other, the organisers were introduced: the Head and the Deputy Head. It was explained what this conference sought out to achieve, as we would use this day and the insights of the speakers to write out a manifesto about our approach to education and our improvement ideas. All this rich thinking would later be combined for some selected students to present to the wider public.
This seemed like an awesome prospect of the day and promptly the first speaker introduced us to manifesto writing. We listened to many speeches shining a light on different aspects of education and their implications. The main topics included mental health, activism, different social standings, the climate crisis, international difficulties, diversity, equity, and responsibility. All that was wonderfully insightful as it showed the complexity of the topic but simultaneously gave us the opportunity to think critically and creatively to find solutions and ideas to improve the situation of the British school system.
Two speakers were especially inspiring as Ruth Ibegbuna talked about activism in general and gave tips while explaining her path to try and improve education. She challenges stereotypes, focuses on mental health in schools and together with her community has opened her own Sunday school which also provides a free hot meal for people attending. The second speaker which had a thought-provoking story to tell was Alagi Bojang who was born and raised in a small community in Africa and talked about the difficulties he faced when going to school, which were unimaginable to us sitting in a western private boarding school. Furthermore, he also spoke of the even greater challenges his sisters faced and how, at some point, they were expected to marry and could not resume their education.
The trip was beyond inspiring and really showed Sidcot’s dedication for us to get the best resources and opportunities to grow to be change makers in the world. Also, the trip showed us the wonderful city of York, started to challenge beliefs we might have had about education in different social standings and other countries while also starting to equip us with skills in leadership and creative problem solving.
