Junior citizens take over Hackney Museum
A bus and a Tube train have been squeezed inside Hackney Museum as part of an annual scheme that teaches children how to make better choices in a range of scenarios.
The Junior Citizenship Scheme, now in its 12th year, teaches pupils aged 10 and 11 from over 50 Hackney schools important skills, to help them become more independent as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.
Activities were brought to life with models and backdrops, and the children’s interest was sustained thanks to the energy of speakers from a range of agencies. Amongst other things the youngsters learnt about waiting safely for buses and trains, recognising sugary drinks, dealing with peer pressure, using 11-15 Oyster Zip cards and what to do and who to contact in case of an emergency.
As well as helping our young people become good citizens, this brilliant scheme helps them build valuable life skills that means they can confidently navigate real life situations.
Jayden, 11, from St Scholastica’s Primary School said: “It’s been really fun and really good in helping me learn about keeping safe when I’m getting to school. It also makes me think more about how I can help other people, especially in the street to help stop other people getting hurt.”
Keira Cullen, Year 6 teacher from Queensbridge Primary School said: “We’ve been coming for three years now, as it's such a great scheme to get children ready for secondary school. The day also supports our PSHE and citizenship lessons, helping our children learn and develop new skills.”
This annual event is coordinated by the TfL Safety and Citizenship Team from London Transport Museum in partnership with Hackney Museum. The Hackney Junior Citizenship Scheme invites every school across the borough including SEN and independent schools and regularly benefits around 2,500 children.
As well as various teams across the Council, including Road Safety, Health and Well-Being team, Substance Misuse and Prevention, and Young Hackney, other organisations involved included Blue Cross Animal Charity, Transport for London's Safety and Citizenship team, London Fire Brigade, and police officers from the Safer Schools and Transport Teams.