Ashoka
Torriano Primary School sits at the heart of a diverse and multicultural neighborhood in inner city London. The children, staff, parents, and community come from a range of ethnic backgrounds and a high number of students have a statement of special educational needs. All aspects of the school and its ethos are based on the UNICEF’s ‘Convention of the Rights of the Child’ (UNCRC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or Global Goals). This framework provides students and staff with a ‘window on the world’ - a global focus on the broader events and changes that are shaping humankind.
We are looking for opportunities such as language exchanges, international projects, teacher training or any other real world learning projects.
Changemaker initiatives
- “Who do I want to be?” - the fundamental question that communicates the school ethos
- Torriano is a beacon UNICEF’s Rights Respecting and as such embeds Article 12 of the Convention in all aspects of school life
- The school is an expert Centre for the new Global Learning Programme (GLP) for England.
For more information on our school/ further publications, please visit these links:
- How to Teach the UN’s Development Goals, and Why
- Torriano Junior School and the World’s Largest Lesson
Helen Bruckdorfer
Inspired by my mother, who was a head of a special school with provision for children with severe physical and learning needs, I decided to join the teaching profession. I have had the privilege to teach children and teachers, through my role as a Literacy Consultant for the National Primary Strategy, before returning to school in a leadership role at Torriano. Throughout my career I have made a deliberate decision to teach, lead and serve a socially diverse and disadvantaged community. In this environment transformation and change is essential. My colleagues and I have placed great emphasis on the children recognising and understanding their role as agents of change locally and globally. In order for the children to understand complex issues for example social justice, inequality and sustainability, challenges faced both within their lives and beyond their experiences, our curriculum emphasises skills, values and attitudes. This vision has inspired all stakeholders to embrace this approach with passion and enthusiasm.