School has an even more important role to play during crises such as the one unfolding in Ukraine.
Our children are intuitive. They always ask questions, but the numbers increase when an event like this sparks their interest.
Our role is to help them understand what is happening and navigate the issues.
The Russian invasion is distressing and concerning to our students. They look to us as adults and their teachers for reassurance.
That’s not easy because we are feeling similar emotions. We have all experienced international crises, but this one seems different.
The situation brings into play what the Academy does well:
- Establish the facts and point students to trusted and reputable sources that can help with the what, when, why, how and who questions;
- Explore a range of diverse perspectives, respecting the different voices in a classroom;
- Be comfortable we don’t have an answer for everything;
- Debate ideas and facilitate discussions without it becoming personal.
We have spoken before about the level of misinformation that is around. Teachers help our students identify what that misinformation looks like. They demonstrate the difference between fact and opinion.
We understand unconscious bias and respond effectively to hate speech.
When we consider all this in relation to the Ukrainian crisis, we do understand why some children are upset by what they see playing out.
Some are fearful. Staff have been asked whether there will be a Third World War.
When we respond, we understand why our children are curious and right to ask the question.
They have studied both World Wars as part of the national curriculum. They know about the horrors of warfare and the consequences on innocent individuals and the wider planet.
We have a duty, as a school and as teachers, not to shy away from answering their questions. We will endeavour to give them the best information we can, without taking sides.
At this point, I want to mention my proud Ukrainian heritage.
My paternal grandfather was Ukrainian and settled in the UK after the Second World War.
So I’m third generation Ukrainian, something of which I’m very proud. I have family in Ukraine and understand people’s fears, anxieties and apprehension around what might happen.
I’ve been asked by students about my situation: had I heard from my family; how was I feeling?
It is great they ask but it is important to take my feelings out of it.
We need to continue to provide a balanced, fact-filled education, that is well informed and free from bias.
We need to trust the processes and organisations that exist and believe positive outcomes will come from negotiation.
Sometimes, out of the worst possible situation, positivity can arise.
Look at how the world is uniting. Individuals, communities and nations are doing what they can to help.
There is significant togetherness with common goals and objectives. My hope is an enormous amount of good will come out of this tragedy.
The academy and its staff will perform its important role in the crisis to the best of our ability.
