"Snakes and ladders: symbol and metaphor"

Hambrough gifted and talented pupils

A summer school sponsored by MITIE Group is being held 29 July-1 August at Acton High School. The programme is open to key stage 2 pupils (years 4-6) who are gifted and talented in religious education. Topics covered will include: symbol, sign and metaphor; the human response to the challenges of life; a look at the Jain religion and the symbolic role snakes play in various beliefs. Participants will use the Internet to investigate various ways different religions relate to the environment, as well as the different traditions regarding the role of the snake.

There will be a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum to explore the Jina Trail—a display of Jain artefacts developed by the museum as part of their religious education project—and other examples of religious art. Another highlight will be a visit from Syon Park’s Tropical Forest Road Show, which will give participants the opportunity to encounter real snakes in order to compare the mythic portrayals they have researched with their living counterparts.

RE and G&T coordinators are invited to submit names of pupils on the application form below. The summer school will be limited to 30 places, so it will be first come first served. For further information contact Nora Leonard (020 8825 7329, nleonard@ealing.gov.uk).

Summer school application form (word)

Further information, including letter to parents and consent forms (word)