The Heartstone Project

What are the results?

Taking part in a Heartstone Project is fun as well as being a direct way through which to challenge racism and xenophobia. As already stated, it is a method through which victims can be supported, their isolation and fear reduced and experiences shared in a positive way. The Heartstone process leads to examination of actions and ideas behind the actions, thus provides a practical mechanism through which perpetrators can be challenged. Finally, it provides a powerful route to enhance the concept that in the face of a negative incident, it is crucial that everyone, whoever they are, needs to consider what action must be taken. In schools, the project can be incorporated within the curriculum,especially within PSHE and/or Literacy at Key Stage 2 or Citizenship and/or English at Key Stage 3. Perhaps one of the project's strongest aspects is that it is delivered by the teachers/leaders themselves, with minimal outside involvement, thus enhancing its flexibility.

Once completed, the project is often repeated with new groups of young people and in many schools, it has been incorporated into one year so that all children passing through the school can have a 'Heartstone Experience' helping prepare them for their future as global citizens.

Below is a selection of abstracts from reports and evaluations which give you an idea of what others have found beneficial in The Heartstone Project:

'There was an overall decrease in bullying behaviour of pupils in the class whilst reading the book 'The Heartstone Odyssey''

                               DFEE Sheffield Bullying Project

                              University of Sheffield

'We have every reason to believe that the use of Heartstone has led to a greater awareness amongst children of the evils of racism and bullying and a long-term reduction in these types of anti-social behaviour.'

                              Supt. John Donnelly

                              Crime & Community Services

                              S. Yorkshire Police

'It (Heartstone) has transformed my class and our school community...'

                              Ms. Celia Grindrod

                              Deputy Head

                              St. John Fisher &

                              St. Thomas More RC

                              Primary School, Manchester

'Work on The Heartstone Project has helped the children to discuss openly issues that are sometimes taboo at home or in the playground. Many of the children had never considered racism from the victim's point of view; they learnt to empathise and thus to understand the issue more so. Certain children in the class, particularly those with a South Asian background, became very keen to talk about their own experiences and to share items of cultural interest. Other children began to discuss the issue of bullying from both points of view. Those who had been victims felt secure enough to be open about it; and the bullies realised, perhaps for the first time, just what they were doing. The remainder became incensed at the injustice of such a thing and therefore very aware in the playground.'

                              Ms. Jane Tate

                              Sheen Mount Primary School

                              West Temple Sheen

'It was in the area of personal and social education where the project excelled. The children were provided with a safe framework within which they could discuss racism and bullying. They felt free to talk about their own personal experiences and, in talking, felt able to make strategies for coping. As the project went on, the atmosphere and ethos within the class began to change. Children became more supportive of each other. They became much less likely to take offence and more tolerant of other's mistakes. When the project ended, the change in behaviour did not. Those children are now 14 years old. The ones I still see occasionally have still not forgotten the Heartstone Project...

                              Ms. A.E. Borrell

                              George Tomlinson Primary School

                              Leytonstone, London 

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