MAITRI (2023)

Pilot project for KS2 and KS3 pupils in Brent

January–March 2023

In early 2023 we launched a pilot project MAITRI in two primary and one secondary school in Brent. Funded by John Lyon’s Charity, this project aimed to support pupils as they prepare to undergo the transition from primary to secondary school by providing a platform for KS2 and KS3 pupils to work together.

The transition from primary to secondary school can be a time of anxiety and insecurity for young people and their families. Through MAITRI we hoped to empower younger pupils, helping them adjust to a new environment, while providing older pupils with an opportunity to develop their skills as leaders.

MAITRI aimed to increase physical activity, as well as developing pupil confidence and teamwork, ultimately aiming to foster community cohesion and cultural understanding.

Following 8 weekly sessions, delivered by artists Aanchal Gupta and Mira Salat, the groups co-developed a Bollywood dance piece with the help of a dhol artist. The final piece was performed by 117 pupils at St. Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls‘ annual dance show on 21 and 22 March. Other participating schools were St. Mary’s CE Primary School and The Kilburn Park School.

We were back at St. Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls in June 2023 delivering two full-day follow-up workshops for our MAITRI project. Artists Aanchal Gupta, Manna Prince, Georgia Cornwell and Soulma Hosani created fun choreographies for the pupils to perform at their end of academic year celebrations.

Supported by