CAPTION: Pupils and Staff at Farway Church of England Primary School have been on a journey of learning about the significance of peace and reconcilitation, and how they can make a difference in the world
Inspiring a Generation of Peacemakers: Church School in Devon Awarded for it’s Work on Peace and Reconciliation
A church school in Devon has been given an award for their work on peace and reconciliation.
Farway Church of England Primary School near Honiton, Devon, was awarded the International Cross of Nails Award (ICONS), commending them for the work they have been doing.
The Cross of Nails Award is a symbol of peace and reconciliation that is associated with Coventry Cathedral.
In 1940, during World War II, salvaged nails which were found in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral’s bombing were formed into a cross.
The nails found in the ruins represent the wounds and the destruction of the war, and the cross formation signifies both forgiveness and healing after conflict.
Farway Church of England School were awarded the International Cross of Nails Awards by Coventry Cathedral.
At the end of the academic year in 2024, the children completed a project of work on the Cross of Nails award, and the significance of it.
As part of their work to promote peace and reconciliation, the school has started to create a prayer garden. A space on the school grounds has been cleaned, wood for the pagoda stained, and a local company has donated some wooden benches to help to create the garden.
Pupils have painted and varnished their own wooden tiles which featured pictorial representations of what peace and reconciliation meant to them, which have been displayed in the prayer garden space.
The prayer garden is a work in progress, as the school hopes to add some plants in the plant bed and some decorations, but the school intends it to be a peaceful space for pupils.
As part of their ICONS work, pupils also created their own artwork which was based around symbols or peace, reconciliation and love.
The school were given their ICONS award during a special service on Friday 10 January 2025. The children helped to lead the service and shared the journey they had been on to become an ICONS school.
As part of the service, Farway School were given their own Cross of Nails. The cross was made in Germany and blessed in Coventry Cathedral, before being presented in the service.
Farway Church of England School has displayed their Cross of Nails to signify the work they have been doing to promote peace and reconciliation, and the cross forms a central part of their collective worship.
Ashleigh Tubbs, Headteacher at Farway Church of England Primary School, said, “At Farway School, we are deeply committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where our students learn the values of empathy, understanding and respect for others.
“We believe that initiatives such as the Cross of Nails project provide valuable opportunities for our students to engage in conversations about peace, reconciliation and the importance of building bridges across differences on a national scale. This is important to us as we are a small, rural school.”
Rev’d Tracey Voysey, Team Vicar of the Honiton Mission Community, who helped to lead the service, said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Farway Primary School.
“The work they did in thinking about peace and reconciliation, and the part they have to play in being peacekeepers and having a forgiving heart with others will stand them all in good stead as they grow up in a world that needs people with these qualities.
“It was humbling to hear about the journey they have been on as a school, and as individual children, towards this award. I’m sure for the adults present it was very heartwarming to see the school community exemplify these Christ-like values. It certainly gave me lots of food for thought.”
Sue Lockwood, the Diocesan Director of Education, shared, “it was delightful to join the children, staff and families of Farway School at the church to hear about their work on peace and reconciliation, and to be part of the presentation of the Cross of Nails Award.
“The children are understandably proud of their school. The celebration tea following the service exemplified the way children interact and demonstrate their Christian values in their everyday lives.”
The Archdeacon of Exeter, the Venerable Andrew Beane, said, “It was such an honour to join children, staff, governors and Sue Lockwood our Director of Education as Farway School were presented with their International Cross of Nails.
“It was deeply moving to hear the children retell the story of bombing of Coventry Cathedral and how instead of bitterness and anger the Cathedral worked towards reconciliation and peace.
“What was most impressive was how the children used what they learnt about Coventry as a framework for working for peace and reconciliation in their own lives and friendships. The whole afternoon was part of a wonderful session of collective worship led by the children and Rev’d Tracey Voysey.”
If you would like to find out more about the Cross of Nail Award, or becoming an ICONS school, click here.
