When looking at friendship, finish off the topic by having a quick round of “speed-mate-ing”. Like the speed-dating idea, pupils have two minutes to ask three questions to the person in front of them and vice versa.

Spend some time in a previous lesson examining what makes someone a good friend and what they look for in a friend. Thus, questions should be well thought out.

When time is up, pupils mark down what they have in common with the person they have just interviewed.

This activity helps children feel more at ease and willing to join in discussions.

Chris Wheeler teaches RE and PSHE at Ashton on Mersey School in Cheshire.