Black History Month
Black History Month 2024
"Reclaiming Narratives"
During the month of October, GGA took the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month. We explored black history, heritage, culture, achievements and equality.
Did you know Black History Month in England was first celebrated in 1987? The month of October was selected because it coincided with the Marcus Garvey celebrations and the London Jubilee. Since that time, celebration has spread out from the London Boroughs to other English cities like Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham, as well as other parts of the United Kingdom.
The theme this year is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’; the idea behind this theme is to look at the stories and history through time, correct historical inaccuracies and showcase untold stories.
Year groups across the school have been focusing on black inspirational people from the past and present. They have explored famous people such as Mary Seacole, artist Jacob Lawrence, the courageous Harriett Tubman, international reggae super star Bob Marley, former slave to freedom Olaudah Equiano, Rosa Parks, Dr Martin Luther King and many more people who have contributed to society and worked endlessly for the freedom of slaves and equality for black people. Year 6 children explored the Harlem Renaissance movement in New York City in the 1910s. Years 5 and 6 attend Rap School, which was led by international rapper, songwriter and music producer Rob Bradley. They learnt how to use metaphors and similes through the lyrics that they produced. They provided wonderful entertainment when they performed their pieces to their peers and adults.
Some children have created their own fact file page from the book, ‘Young Gifted and Black’ and explored the history of how Black History Month started in the UK.
Visiting artists shared the stories of these inspirational people through different art forms such as dance, music and drama.
Please visit our gallery below to get an idea of the fun we had with our learning.
GGA Celebrates Black History Month 2023
"Black Resistance"
Black History Month is a time of celebration, recognition and reflection. Black people from African and Caribbean communities have been an integral part of British history and society.
The month of October was International Black History Month in the UK and this year's theme was ‘Black Resistance’
Black people have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society.
In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s people around the world witnessed actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walk outs, strikes by black people and white allies. They were fighting for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society from employment to education to housing.
Black people have consistently pushed the government to live up to their ideals of freedom, liberty and justice for all.
The children of GGA have been exploring some of the most influential people in the history of black people. They have examined some of the struggles that they faced in order to achieve equality for all.
During the month of October year groups across the school focused on inspirational people such as the brave Rosa Parks, Mary Seacole, black Artist and Teacher Alma Thomas, the courageous Harriett Tubman, Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Nelson Mandela, Dr Martin Luther King and the famous Windrush generation.
Visiting artists enhanced the children studies. Art, drama, dancing and singing workshops brought the history alive.
These inspirational people from the past and present have brought about change and their legacy continues to live on through history books and celebrations such as Black History Month.
Please view our gallery to see the fun we had with our learning.
GGA Celebrates Black History Month 2022
Time for Change: Action, Not Words
Over the years our school has been diversifying the curriculum to reflect our school community and British modern day society. Our Black History celebration helps to enlighten young people with an education not just about the history of Black people, but about a history that belongs to us all.
This year we have seen exceptional planning linked to this subject matter across the school. We have grown in strength on our journey to making our curriculum culturally inclusive.
Children across the school have been learning about the contributions that black people have made and continue to make to society. This included famous people such as;
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British space science and educator Maggie Aderin- Pocock.
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Arthur Wharton who was the first black professional footballer.
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Jessie Owens a black American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the first Olympics.
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Katherine Johnson whose maths helped send astronauts to the Moon and back.
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The brave and courageous Mary Seacole who helped the British soldiers at the battlefront during the Crimean War.
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Harriet Powers who was famous for her quilt making skills.
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The all American hero Ruby Bridges who was the first African American child to desegregate an Elementary School. At six years old, Ruby's bravery helped pave the way for Civil Rights action in American South.
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Dr Martin Luther King who is known for his contributions to the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
Visiting artists enhanced the children’s learning experiences through a variety of art form workshops. Teachers and children alike enjoyed these extra curriculum activities.
As we come to the end of our Black History month studies we strive to continue to develop our curriculum to make it inclusive of everyone’s history.
Please visit the photo gallery to get an idea of how we celebrated this important month. Amongst the photographs is a picture of Mrs S Turner who attend the opening and closing ceremony of the London Olympics 2012 as a placard bearer representing Sierra Leone!
Mrs Turner has shared her experience with the children to inspire them to become a part of our magnificent world in a creative way.
Famous quote by Rosa Parks
“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right”.
GGA Celebrates Black History Month 2021
Proud To Be…
During the month of October GGA celebrated once again the achievements of black people’s contribution to society from the past and present.
The theme this year is Proud to Be. This theme has been inspired by the 2020 Black Lives Matter events.
Over the years our school has been exploring ways to make our curriculum more culturally inclusive. Black History is celebrated as an annual event here at GGA in line with national celebrations taking place all over the country. At GGA we are proud of our culturally diverse community and our culturally inclusive curriculum. We feel that it is important to celebrate everyone’s contributions no matter what their heritage is. We use this month to enhance the children’s’ learning by inviting artist into school to deliver a variety of art workshops.
Children across the school have been exploring the contributions that black people have made and continue to make to society. This included famous people such Mary Seacole, Harriet Powers, Ruby Bridges, Harriett Tubman, Marcus Rashford, Victorian composer and political activist Samuel Coleridge – Taylor, Dr Martin Luther King’s march to Freedom and the sacrifices made by black service men and women from the Caribbean who served in WW2.
Please visit the photo gallery to get an idea and how we celebrated this important month.
Famous quote by Frances Wright
Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.
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Harriet Tubman Activity with Chestnut Class
Black History Month Pupil Evaluation
