More than 200 pupils, teachers, parents, governors and faith leaders attended a competition celebrating schools’ religious engagement at Elmhurst Primary School in Upton Park Road, Forest Gate.

Inspired by visits to places of worship, pupils created art, songs and models based on their visits, with Newham religious education advisor Claire Clinton saying it was a great opportunity to celebrate religious plurality.

“It was a wonderful moment when we got to hear the children sing about their visits and how people from different religions and none can live together peacefully,” she said. “The perfect message for the times we live in.”

Year 1 pupils from the host school took first place for their song celebrating four places of worship.

The ceremony on Wednesday, July 12, was attended by faith leaders and borough religious education advisors as Venerable Chueh Yun from central London’s Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple came to witness the ceremony.

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education chair Rev Jeremy Fraser said the pupils were inspiring.

“Coming to this prize-giving inspires me as I get to see religions through the eyes of children,” she said. “It makes me think about what really matters and appreciate the diversity we can celebrate in Newham.”

Curwen Primary School in Central Park Primary School in Central Park Road, East Ham, was crowned overall winner of the Early Years Foundation Stage category.

Kensington Primary School in East Ham’s Kensington Avenue took the top spot in the Key Stage 1 category and the hosts were overall winners in the Key Stage 2 category.

Britannia Village Primary School in Westwood Road, Canning Town, Central Park Primary School in Central Park Road, East Ham, and Curwen Primary School in Atlas Road, Upton Park, also won prizes as did Plaistow’s Grange Primary School in Suffolk Road, Hallsville Primary School in Radland Road, Canning Town, and Hartley Primary School in Hartley Ave, East Ham.

Lathom Junior School in Lathom Road, East Ham, Stratford’s Ranelagh Primary School in Corporation Street, and St James’ Church of England Junior School in Tower Hamlets Road, Forest Gate, Scott Wilkie Primary School in Hoskin’s Close, Canning Town, and Winsor Primary School in Beckton’s E Ham Manor Way also won prizes.