A BRADFORD primary school has been selected for a prestigious new award which recognises passion and flair for teaching pupils about their local heritage. 

Peel Park Primary School and Nursery scooped the new Champion Heritage Award from Historic England.

The school is one of only eight across the country to receive the accolade and was chosen because of the "inspiring work" it has undertaken through Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme.

Through the initiative, every pupil in the school learnt about the history of their local area.

Each year group focused on a different local historical site including the statue of former Prime Minister Robert Peel in the local park and Undercliffe Cemetery where a number of prominent local residents are buried.

Some pupils also visited Saltaire to learn about the significance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sunny Banks Mills in Leeds.

The school has also found other creative ways to bring local heritage to life - it invited World War Two veterans from Age Concern to speak about their experiences in the conflict and is actively involved in the annual Armistice commemorations at Undercliffe Cemetery.

As a Champion Heritage School, Peel Park Primary School and Nursery will work with Historic England over the coming year through the Heritage Schools programme to pilot a new school-led scheme, aimed at highlighting the importance of local heritage and how it can be integrated into a range of subjects. As part of the award, the school will receive £1,000 to support this work.

As this is the first year of Champion Heritage Schools, teacher and pupils at the school will play a key role in shaping the scheme’s activities and its future development. 

Harjyot Hayer, Teacher at Peel Park Primary School and Nursery, said: “I feel it’s especially important for our children to understand their local and wider heritage, in order to strengthen their sense of identity and experience.”

Julie Edwards, Local Heritage Education Manager for Historic England in Yorkshire, added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Peel Park Primary School and Nursery over the next year to shape and deliver this new scheme.

"They are thoroughly deserving of Champion Heritage School status and will serve as an inspiration to other schools looking to incorporate local heritage into their curriculum.”

Research has shown that knowledge of local heritage gives children a sense of pride and identity about where they live and an understanding of how it fits into the history of the nation. Exposure to local heritage can also have a positive effect on mental and physical wellbeing.