SUPERHEROES, literary legends, galactic warriors, witches and wizards came to a primary school to learn about Down Syndrome.
Children at Bilton C of E Junior school took part in Dress Up for Downs day to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
The pupils got dressed up to show their enthusiasm for treating everyone equally – including a fellow pupil who has the condition.
Warwickshire charity The Ups of Downs provided lesson plans, presentations, leaflets and stickers for a special assembly to teach the kids about the condition, along with a selection of storybooks featuring characters with Down Syndrome.
Deputy headteacher Kate Webb said: “We are incredibly proud of our ‘no outsiders’ ethos in the school and our children openly embrace and accept difference, giving everyone the opportunity to learn and develop. This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to build on these values.”
Proud head teacher Alexandra Norton added: “We have a child in school with Down Syndrome, who will be leaving us this year to take the next step into secondary school.
“It has been a truly rewarding experience to have him as part of our school community and he has embraced everything alongside his classmates, who have played together and worked with him throughout their time at the school.
“This day was an opportunity for us all to celebrate the power of acceptance and the positive impact of everyone being treated fairly, positively and with respect.
“This was a wonderful day for the children to show their awareness that we are all different, and that it gives their world variety and colour.”
Nicola Enoch, founder of The Ups of Downs, said: “Our experience shows that the greater understanding classmates have, the more tolerant, accepting and empathetic the pupils become.”
Nicola set up the charity in 2006 just after her son Tom was born with the condition. It now has more than 70 members.
It runs pre-school and Saturday groups for school-age children, training events, and speech and language therapy.
Down Syndrome, also known as Down’s Syndrome, is a genetic condition that typically causes some level of learning disability and characteristic physical features.
Visit www.upsofdowns.co.uk for more information.
