Looking for ways to engage your school in celebrating the nation’s religious and cultural diversity? 

Dozens of schools got involved in Scottish Interfaith Week last year and we have compiled some examples of their activities to inspire you.

West Coats Primary School visit to Hindu Mandir

Arrange visits to places of worship

West Coats Primary School held a week-long programme during Scottish Interfaith Week 2024 for students of all ages. Pupils visited places of worship including a mosque, chapel, and Hindu Mandir.

High school students from Mackie Academy visited Glasgow Mosque and Garnethill Synagogue to learn about faiths and take notes for their National 5s and Highers.

Invite people of faith to speak at assembly

Stirling High School held five assemblies throughout Scottish Interfaith Week with a different religion featured each day. Interfaith Scotland’s board member Srihari gave a talk about Hinduism at one of the assemblies.

The Junior Leadership Team at St Clare’s Primary School visited two primary schools to talk about faith as part of Scottish Interfaith Week.

Organise a classroom visit or activity

Edinburgh Interfaith Association hosted their ‘Religion and Belief Roadshow’ for schools and visited Fettes College, Davidson’s Mains Primary School Edinburgh and Blackhall Primary School. Classroom visits included the showing of faith objects and discussions about different beliefs.

West Coats Primary School had several speakers from different faiths talking in classrooms, including Interfaith Scotland board member Mel who hosted workshops for around 110 children from Primary 1, 2 and 3.

Holyrood Secondary School made posters in class and displayed them in the corridors to educate others about different faiths.

Plant a tree for peace

Calderwood Lodge Primary School and the Council of Christians and Jews

Calderwood Lodge Primary School planted a tree gifted by the Council of Christians and Jews to signify unity, hope and peace.

The local provost and members of the CCJ Board joined in the activity.

Host a school event for families

Holyrood Secondary School hosted a Family Interfaith Evening for students and their families.

This included an interfaith video, quiz, code breaker, and collection of religious artefacts for families to explore.

Interfaith Glasgow hosted a family fun day with henna, opportunities to try on religious clothing, face painting, food and games. They had a table with an activity for each faith, with someone from that faith running the activity. This is one of the festival’s most popular events and families from across Glasgow travel to attend. You can use some of these ideas for your event.

Involve your school library with a book display

Last year Stirling Libraries used our Library Book Display resource to create book displays at Cornton Library and Fallin Library.

Your school could create a book display too! The resource includes dozens of recommendations for a variety of ages.

School competition for Scottish Interfaith Week

In case you have yet to hear, we are hosting a competition for schools, with prizes and everything!

The ‘Our Future’ competition asks young people to use any creative medium to explore a value or social justice issue and ways to take action.

You can find out more on the competition page, including deadline, prizes, and lesson plans.