We aim to support schools in Hemel Hempstead with the following:
- Curriculum based RE lessons
- Extracurricular clubs at lunch time or after school
- Connecting with a local church for authentic faith experiences like Holy Communion, A church service or Mass
- Creative reflection and prayer spaces
RE LESSONS
We have been working with local organisation STEP from St Albans to deliver curriculum based RE lessons that are fun, interactive and provide a Christian perspective.
Some example lessons are:
- SUFFERING
Students will look at the origin of suffering in the world, how that affects the Christian faith and the way God responds. - MIRACLES
This lesson will focus on miracles from the bible and whether they demonstrate Jesus was who he claimed to be. - JESUS AS THE MESSIAH
Students will read prophecies from the bible and will put Jesus on ‘trial’ to debate whether he is the messiah based on his actions. - CHRISTIANITY THROUGH ART
Students think about why people have been using art for millennia to express their faith and look at examples, before having a go at expressing their own personal moments of awe and wonder as miniature works of art. - ULTIMATE QUESTIONS
Students debate with each other some of the most fundamental questions of life, including ‘Does God exist?’, ‘How did life begin?’ and ‘Is there a purpose to life?’.
If this is something your school would be interested in us visiting to provide, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
“The lessons delivered by Youth Across Hemel have been engaging and informative. These lessons have stuck in the minds of our students and they have been able to easily access this information for assessments and exams. The students really look forward to these lessons, plus there is the added bonus of reducing teacher workload! The volunteers are so friendly and enthusiastic, even the most challenging of students have been inspired to get involved in the lessons.”
A. Selleck- Head of PRE at Kings Langley School, May 2024
“I have learned a lot from the sessions and volunteers myself! The children have very frequently mentioned the YAH Christian Art sessions when asked about what their favourite lessons have been from the year so far.”
A. Burnaby- RE teacher at Hemel Hempstead School, May 2024
EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLUBS
Lunch time or after school clubs are accessible to everyone. The clubs are a great time for students to make friends, play games and learn a bit about the christian faith in a safe space.
Current school clubs are listed below:
THE SUMMIT at Kings Langley School
YEAR 7 ONLY: Tuesday lunchtimes, room F109
YEARS 8-13: Wednesday lunchtimes, room F109
CONNECT CLUB at Hemel Hempstead School
MONDAY LUNCHTIMES, M13
This established club run by South Hill Church offers a relaxed space to chat and chill with friends, enjoy games and snacks and have a look at the Christian faith. All year groups are welcome. The club is led by SHC Children’s Pastor Anna Nick and Youth Leader Sorrel Harden.
Other clubs
We’d love to set up more lunchtime clubs so if you’d like to see one in your school, do get in touch by emailing info@yahemel.co.uk, and we’ll do what we can to get one up and running.
CREATIVE PRAYER AND REFLECTION SPACES
Having a reflection and prayer space in your school will provide students with the opportunity to learn about the Christian faith and have the freedom to creatively reflect on their beliefs, improving the spiritual development of pupils as outlined by Ofsted (2018).
‘I don’t know what it is, but I find this room so relaxing.
Year 11 Student
I just don’t want to leave.’
What we can offer your school:
A unique R & P space in a room of your choice that each class could experience and engage with. The space could also be open and staffed during lunchtimes and after school to allow students to revisit the space if they wanted more time there.
What we will need from you:
We will need a room suitable for the prayer space that we set up and leave set up for the duration of our time in your school. Please note due to the amount of preparation the prayer space can take to set up and pack down, will recommend having it used for a minimum of three days and a maximum of five days.