Bradford's unique multi-cultural backdrop means that celebrating the birth of Christ at Christmas is a matter of observation rather than participation to many children. But that fact does not prevent many Bradford schools from celebrating the festive season in style. Here, T&A reporter Joanne Earp takes a look at how different schools across the district celebrate Christmas...

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS and decorations at Buttershaw First School have been based around light - a central theme of Christian, Hindu and Jewish religious festivals.

Tina Briggs, deputy head teacher, explained: "We marked Deepawali, the Hindu festival of light, in November and we have had a guest speaker in school to talk to the children about the Jewish festival of light Hanukkah.

"The school roll does not represent that many faith communities, but we feel it is important they are represented. Basing our decorations around light is a good way of celebrating several religious festivals."

At Fulneck School in Pudsey, tradition is the name of the game with a good old-fashioned Christingle Service which reflects its centuries old history.

Pupils also try to get out into the community and take part in a scheme to deliver presents to pensioners.

Publicity officer Pat Dibb said: "There's a long tradition of religious celebrations dating back to 1753, when the school was first founded for the children of Moravian missionaries.

"The Christingle Service is very much child-centred with carols and readings. Because the church is actually on site it makes it even more special. We're like a little village and everyone takes part."

Pupils at Undercliffe First School all share in festive celebrations despite a multi-faith background.

The school has its own Muslim, Sikh and Christian faith groups as well as a non-faith group. Head teacher Liz Metcalfe said: "We devote the same amount of time to Christmas as we do all the other religious festivals. The Christian faith group performed a traditional nativity, but all the pupils shared seasonal celebrations by taking part in a disco.

"It was like an end-of-term party. We felt it was important to organise something that could be attended by children of all faiths, and those pupils whose parents do not wish them to take part in religious celebrations."

Meanwhile, youngsters at Blakehill First School decided to stage a Christmas production with a difference - a costumed version of Jungle Book involving more than 70 performers.

Lynn Wright, deputy head teacher, said: "To say it was a large-scale production is a bit of an understatement! In fact, we had to create a few extra characters of our own.

"We didn't make a conscious effort to stay away from a religious topic, but by choosing Jungle Book it meant everyone could take part - regardless of their faith. And we still did a traditional nativity with the younger children."

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