When the Year 6 Classroom Became a Refugee Camp

On Thursday last week, Year 6 students embarked on a powerful new topic: Migration. What began as a normal morning quickly became something far more memorable. As the whistle blew for registration, students were gathered and told that their lives had changed. They were now refugees, stranded in a refugee camp with nothing but a passport and a new identity.

From that moment, the Year group was transformed. Queues of migrants lined up to have their passports checked by immigration officers before visiting the medical tent to ensure they were free from contagious diseases. Students then had to choose a country and attempt to gain entry. Each country had strict and varied requirements, including qualifications, savings, language skills or health checks. Some students were accepted, but many were turned away and forced to try again elsewhere.

Life in a new country was not always easy. Migrants had to navigate challenges such as completing lengthy visa applications in an unfamiliar language or working in menial jobs to prove their worth. These tasks required time, effort and patience, often preventing students from applying to another country. Frustration, disappointment and uncertainty quickly became common feelings.

The level of engagement throughout the activity was remarkable. Students were fully immersed, carefully considering their choices and supporting one another where possible. As the experience unfolded, it became increasingly clear how difficult and unfair the process could feel. Many students reflected on how little control they had and how exhausting it was to keep trying.

By the end, there was a strong sense of realisation. Students recognised that for real migrants, this is not a game or a lesson, but a lived reality. The experience fostered empathy, understanding and meaningful learning that will stay with them long after the topic ends.