Thousands of school children get taste for Glasgow 850 celebrations
Glasgow children are getting behind their city’s 850th birthday celebrations as a week-long Glasgow 850 Schools' Festival gets underway at primary schools across the city.
Article Source: Glasgow 850
Last Updated: 29 April 2025 13:01
Image: Pupils from Tinto Primary School. Credit: Martin Shields.
Every primary pupil in Glasgow is set to receive a collection of souvenir Glasgow 850 badges and a special Glasgow 850 themed school lunch will be served up, all to honour the city’s famous coat of arms and commemorate 850 years since Glasgow became a Burgh of the Barony in 1175.
As part of the primary school’s festival, a special 850 menu taking inspiration from the city’s coat of arms: the bell, fish, tree and bird, will be available to try. The menu will feature roast chicken and halal roast chicken to represent the bird that never flew, breaded fish for the fish that never swam, stuffed bell peppers for the bell that never rang, and steamed broccoli to illustrate the tree that never grew, as a fun way to engage children in the story of St Mungo and Glasgow’s origins.
This week specially designed pink birthday badges adorned with icons from the city’s Coat of Arms, alongside other symbols that represent Glasgow themes, landmarks and institutions, will also be handed out to more than 40,000 primary school children.
The badges have ten different designs which symbolise the city’s achievements and sources of pride including the Barrowland Star, the Finnieston Crane and the Duke of Wellington’s cone, with a Glaschu version for Gaelic school pupils.
The Schools’ Festival is one part of a wider, extensive programme of engagement across nurseries, primary and secondary schools that has been planned throughout the year, to inspire the city’s young people to think about Glasgow’s past, present and future and the role they can play in this over the next 50 years.
Children will receive access to their own Glasgow 850 digital keepsake learning booklet, which updates each month with interactive activities and lessons inspired by the city’s rich heritage and inspiring potential, while live lessons will bring teachers and pupil citywide together to explore the milestone together.
There will be representation of Glasgow 850 across the annual Physical Education Physical Activity and School of Sport (PEPASS) programme of events, showcasing future Glasgow sporting talent and keeping the city’s young people active. The Young Ambassadors Conference in August will see 250 young people come together to celebrate and learn new skills in sporting leadership.
Glasgow CREATE (Creativity and Expressive Arts Transforming Education) is also inviting all primary schools to participate in an extraordinary project to record a special Glasgow 850 song titled It’s Our Home, Glasgow. This ambitious citywide celebration will bring together 142 primaries in Glasgow in a shared expression of pride, culture and unity, with teaching videos, lyrics and audio backing track packs to guide teachers and pupils through learning the song.
The breadth of opportunities will ensure all children regardless of their interests and passions will find a way to connect with the Glasgow 850 celebrations.
Councillor Christina Cannon, City Convener for Education & Early Years said: “Our children and young people are the future of Glasgow, and the 850 Education Programme is an opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation and celebrate this landmark year with our youngest citizens. From a themed menu to bespoke interactive lessons, we are giving pupils the chance to engage with the history of our vibrant city and think about the possibilities for its future, sparking creativity, curiosity and civic pride. Parent councils are also leading the way, bringing creative Glasgow 850 twists to school events and inspiring school communities to share in the celebrations. Glasgow’s 850th birthday is a milestone that belongs to everyone, and we hope to see families and pupils alike embrace the birthday celebrations. I know that our children will be wearing their commemorative badges with pride and holding onto them for many years to come.”
Everyone has the opportunity to get involved in Glasgow’s 850th birthday celebrations. For more information visit glasgow850.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORE
Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850
More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.
READ MORE
ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green
Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.
READ MORE
77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups
The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.
READ MORE
Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes
Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations
Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.
READ MORE
Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup
Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.
READ MORE
Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio
Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.
READ MORE
New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden
Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025
From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.
READ MORE
Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail
Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!
READ MORE
KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End
The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026
The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!
READ MORE
Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow
The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links