"Just to say the schools educational visit for teachers yesterday was truly enlightening. Although my personal knowledge of the Sikh faith has grown enormously over the last few years there is always something new to learn. The whole experience of being at the Gurdwara is something more people should try to partake in. Thank you once again to Harkirat and all the members for your hospitality, we were made very welcome."

- Tina Eason, Luke’s Primary School

"We have had a visit today at Flitwick Lower School from Harkirat Singh. Mr Singh led a whole school assembly and then spent time in several classes talking about Food in the Sikh religion and Sikh naming ceremonies. I have had very positive feedback from staff saying what a lovely manner he had with the children and how well he answered their questions, explaining things at just the right level. They couldn’t suggest any ways to improve the sessions and would certainly welcome a return visit next year."

- Christine Mulligan, R.E co-ordinator, Flitwick Lower School

"This week we had a visit from Mr Singh at our primary school. Mr Singh carried out workshops with several groups of children ranging from ages 4 to 9 and adapted his workshop for each group, including catering for children in our Specialist Support Center (children with moderate to complex learning needs.)
The whole school have had nothing but praise for Mr Singh and comments included how approachable, child-friendly and interesting he was. The children were truly captivated and it is certainly an experience that we would wish to repeat in the future."

- Nicola Hubbard, Abbots Green Primary School

Feedback

"Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School had a visit from Mr Singh last Thursday. We would like to thank him very much for his time and patience. Everyone found Mr Singh very friendly and approachable. He has a very quiet and calm manner with the children and adapted his teaching to deal with children from 3 to 7 years old. The children loved learning and listened well. They also remember a great deal about Sikhism which is a true testament to good teaching. Thank you very much and we hope to see you again next year."

- Susan King, Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School

"We would like to thank Mr Singh for giving the girls at St Mary’s Cambridge Junior School such an interesting morning. The assembly was a reflective time and the presentation and question and answer sessions to each year group in KS2 relevant and informative. The girls were able to enhance their learning and enjoyed seeing the artifacts that Mr Singh brought. A very worthwhile experience."

- Fiona McWilliam, St Mary’s Cambridge Junior School

Mr Singh came to Howe Dell School and led an exciting Sikh Day.

Children's Comments:

Nursery
"We liked Mr Singh’s turban – he wears it over his really long hair which he doesn’t cut."
"I liked it when he was singing, it made me feel really good."

Reception
"I liked the baby story."

Year 1
"I liked it when Mr Singh wrapped some ones head in a turban."
"I really enjoyed learning about The 5 K’s in our workshop."

Year 4
"I had fun seeing real objects and touching them."

Year 5
"It was fun."
"The man told us really important stuff."
"I enjoyed learning more about Sikhism."
"I really enjoyed it because someone else told us what he believed in."

Staff Comments:

"Mr Singh had a lovely manner with the children."
"It was lovely. Mr Singh was fantastic with the children."
"They were all very engaged and produced some great work."
"Really good day, Mr Singh was great, informative and interesting
without overpowering anyone."

- Sue Harvey-Smith, Howe Dell School

"Thank you so much for our enlightening visit. Myself and the children were fascinated by the depth of knowledge and passion our educator showed. The opportunity for children to simply ask questions was invaluable and their learning was accelerated."

- Bethany Greenwood, St Luke’s Primary School

Harkirat visited St Luke’s CE Primary School in May.

Our Year 6 pupils were captivated when hearing about his experiences growing up as a young Sikh. The presentation was clear and informative. The resources shared made the whole experience fun and interactive.

Some comments shared by the pupils:

"I enjoyed watching the demonstration of how to wear a turban."
"I can now remember what the 5 Ks are."
"Mr Singh had a good sense of humor."

Thank you Harkirat.

- Bethany Greenwood, St Luke’s Primary School

"As headteacher of a large Primary School, I was keen to share with the children, peoples experiences of belonging to different cultures and faiths. Following a recommendation from a fellow Headteacher, Mr Singh and I met to discuss a program of work that would be of benefit to the school. The discussions led us to Mr Singh leading a whole school assembly after which he visited classes of children. The focus of his work was around sharing his experiences of being a Sikh whilst developing the children’s cultural acceptance of people from different faiths. I am delighted to report that the whole school assembly was amazing and provided the children of the school with a great 'taster' of elements of Sikh life. This was followed up in class with a more in depth discussion with thought provoking activities and discussions that really moved the children on in their understanding. Mr Singh was able to pitch his discussions using a range of different resources and different focal themes so all the children were able to engage in his teaching. Mr Singh was a delight to have in school and we have decided that we would like him to come into school each year to share his experiences for the benefit of the children. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending any school use Mr Singh to support children in their understanding of Sikhism or indeed supporting the school in any area in which a confident speaker who can challenge stereotypes, at a child’s level, is needed."

"Harkirat had a wonderful, calm approach with all children both in our assembly and in the class sessions he led. All our staff commented on how Harkirat had ensured all children felt included and even our quietest pupils were encouraged to offer responses.

Thank you also to Harkirat for his valuable advice on resources."

- Julia Chalkley, Lacewood Primary School

"An extended thanks to Harkirat for a truly amazing visit to our Year 5 and 6 classes during their Sikh themed RE week. The children were engaged throughout and enjoyed asking Harkirat questions about his faith, which Harkirat was able to answer on a very personal level. The activities were fun and also gave the children a chance to use their newly gained knowledge of Sikhi in school based activities throughout the week – especially the use of Punjabi numbers! We look forward to seeing Harkirat again at Upton Meadows and cannot thank him enough for his wonderful educational and enlightening visit."

- Rebecca Reeve, Upton Meadows Primary School

"I would like to thank-you so much for being able to help with your interview for National Transplant week. I heard it this morning whilst I was being interviewed at Radio Northampton. You answered the questions really well.

Overall all the contributors spoke well, and I hope and pray that many more people sign up to the Organ Donation Register as a result of this."

- Revd. George Sarmezey, Chaplaincy Department, Northampton General Hospital

"I just wanted to say a huge 'Thank you' for your wonderful visit to our school on Monday. Both the children and the Staff have commented on how much they learnt from you. I thought you had a wonderful, calming way with the children and I really enjoyed your assembly, as well as listening to you talk in the classroom. The children felt very secure to ask questions and it was refreshing to see you adapt to what the children’s interests were and accommodate their inquiries."

- Alison Hope, Abbey VC Junior School, Daventry.

"A huge THANKYOU from Year 6 at Allesley Hall Primary School, Coventry to Harkirat Singh for a fantastic morning learning about Sikhism. Harkirat had a lovely manner with the children and allowed them opportunities to ask questions. He let the children’s curiosity lead the lesson and related his points well to stories and the children’s own experiences. We learnt so much!"

- Michelle Campbell, Allesley Hall Primary School

"An amazing day with Harkirat. The whole school learnt so much about Sikhism through Harkirat. The children were particularly struck by the positive links that Harkirat made between faiths and the way in which common themes, such as love and compassion, were shared by all."

- Frances Parr, Barningham CEVC Primary School

"I just wanted to say a big thank you for the visit by my cubs last night. The evening was extremely informative and interesting and you were a very generous and welcoming host. Actually you were great. I will spread the word among my fellow scouters about how good a visit to your Gurdwara is and I am certain they will enjoy it as much as we did.
Thank you once again."

- Richard Davies, Flore Cubs and Scouts

"I would like to say a big 'thank you' to Mr Harkirat Singh who visited our school this week, delivering assemblies as well as visiting the children in their classrooms. We really appreciated how accommodating you were in linking your classroom sessions to the RE units of work being taught within each year group and the feedback I have had from staff and pupils across the school has been resoundingly positive. I would wholeheartedly recommend your service to other schools.
Thank you again."

- Amy Perrett, Bromham C of E Lower School

"I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to Mr Singh for his visit on the 17th December 2013. The students were absolutely enthralled by his stories. They felt comfortable enough to ask questions, knowing that Mr Singh would respect their ideas and thoroughly enjoyed being able to try on the 5 K's. A very exciting, and educational morning for our students. Thank you once again Mr Singh."

- Michaela Page, Castleford Academy

"Mr Singh visited West Haddon Primary School this week to teach Year 5 for 3 lessons and our Reception class for 1 lesson. He was fantastic! The children really responded to his gentle and kind teaching and he was able to share so much valuable knowledge about Sikhism. They asked many questions which Mr Singh answered and he created an ethos in the classroom where children felt they could ask anything. He promoted respect and equality and he was well resourced – bringing in lots of items for the children to look at and feel. One of the many highlights was when a child had a turban fitted upon her. He also had great flexibility to move from Year 5 class (some of the oldest in the school) to the Reception class (the youngest). All in all a brilliant day and I shall look forward to working with Mr Singh again next year – Thank You Harkirat."

- Joanna Guy, West Haddon Primary School

"Many thanks for your visit to our school. The staff were so impressed with your attitude and understanding of the students. The students enjoyed every minute and learned a lot from you about Sikhism. We look forward to working with you again.
One God, One world."

- Alison, Special Needs School and Sports College

"Thank you very much for allowing Year 5 from St James C of E primary School to visit the Gurdwara. The children learnt a lot and especially enjoyed experiencing and seeing the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and listening to the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib."

- Hazira Hussian, St James C of E primary School

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for visiting our school once again. You were a great inspiration to our children and Staff alike and we all gained knowledge from your visit. As ever, you were guided by the children and responded brilliantly to their questions….. whatever they were! Thank you for allowing our children to be free in their questioning and thus reassured that their thoughts and ideas are respected and valued.I look forward to seeing and working with you again in the future."

- Alison Hope, Abbey Church Of England Academy

"I am just writing on behalf of the staff to say a huge thank you for today. The feedback from staff and children has been fantastic; everyone learnt so much and you presented everything in such a warm, lively and engaging manner. What lovely messages you have left us all with to start our holiday."

- Rebecca Davies, Thurgoland Church Of England School