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Bootham School to help students play part in anti-poverty campaign
Written by yorkguides.co.uk   
STUDENTS at one of Yorkshire's most prestigious schools are to be given time off their studies to add their voice to the Make Poverty History campaign. While most school visits might head for their local museums, Bootham School, in York, is organising a field trip for 14 students to attend Saturday's march in Edinburgh lobbying the G8 summit.
Children taking part on the trip will swap this Saturday morning's lessons for a 5.30am start to join thousands of people from around the country calling on the world's powerful countries to cut third world debts.
Live 8 organiser Sir Bob Geldof provoked criticism when he urged schools across the country to decamp to Edinburgh during the G8 meeting itself next Tuesday and Wednesday, although the call was later watered down.
Staff at Bootham school, where fees are up to £17,000 a year, believe the Make Poverty History cause fits with the school's Quaker ethos.
Head of religious studies Sarah Allen said: "In Quakerism there is a fine tradition of peaceful civil action and a belief that individuals really can change the world around them. I think education is about more than learning in lessons, it is about getting out there and taking part. It will be their very first political act.
"We wanted to be part of history by joining thousands of other people on this march. It is partly about that but its partly having the opportunity to publicly make a stand about something you think is important."
Some of the students have been studying the issues in their GCSE short course in religious education.
Teacher Judith Campbell said: "In lessons we have talked about the unequal distribution of wealth in the world and the ethos of the school very much supports the aim of the march to make people aware of these inequalities."
The school has a history of taking part in major demonstrations and students and staff marched in London against the war in Iraq.
Michael Flinders, 15, said: "This is a great opportunity and I don't think I would have had the chance to go without the school organising it."
April Denison, 15, added: "I'm not sure they will listen but I hope they will notice what we are doing and listen to the concerns people have."
Bootham School last year boasted the best A-level results in Yorkshire.
 
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