'Solutions Not Sides’ Workshop Fosters Dialogue and Empathy at King’s Bolton

King’s Leadership Academy Bolton recently welcomed renowned educational charity Solutions Not Sides into school for a powerful and thought-provoking workshop aimed at deepening students’ understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The session, which built on previous classroom learning, provided a unique opportunity for selected students to engage in meaningful, solutions-focused dialogue around one of the world’s most complex and emotive topics.

Solutions Not Sides has been working with schools across the UK since 2010, using the lens of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to teach critical skills such as empathy, active listening, communication, and conflict resolution. Grounded in the values of non-violence, equality for all, and the rejection of hatred, the charity aims to reduce antisemitism, Islamophobia, and polarisation in young people through education and conversation.

Students who had demonstrated outstanding effort in their Religious Studies and ASPIRE lessons were invited to take part in the session, which was delivered by two guest ‘Solutions Not Sides’ Workshop Fosters Dialogue and Empathy at King’s Bolton speakers who had flown in specially for the event. Shaked, an Israeli, and Younes, a Palestinian, offered an in-depth exploration of the region’s history, including Britain’s role in the early 1900s, major wars over the past century, and key events such as the Nakba and the Intifada.

The speakers also shared their lived experiences and personal journeys, as well as their ongoing grassroots work to build peace and promote justice in the region. Shaked offered an honest perspective on the political climate in Israel, speaking about the influence of far-right leadership and highlighting the reality that many Israelis do not support those views. Younes shared his family’s story, the challenges facing Palestinians, and his continued efforts to advocate for peace.

Students were given the chance to ask questions and engage directly with the speakers, sparking insightful discussions and moments of reflection. The workshop created a safe space for learning and critical thinking, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of this poignant topic.

This impactful workshop was organised by Associate Senior Leader in Character & Diversity, Netesha Butt. Reflecting on the event, she shared: “If we want our students to have well-rounded and informed opinions, opportunities like this are invaluable. Students were able to ask incredibly insightful questions about events that will forever be etched into their minds as they watched them unfold on their screens, directly to people involved in grassroots efforts from the region. I was blown away by their maturity and the depth of critical thinking they demonstrated.”