Black History Month 2021

Latymer Prep School, along with many other schools and institutions across the country, celebrated the contributions and often unheralded achievements of black pioneers, public figures, and personalities within our society over the course of October. During Black History Month, as well as dedicated assemblies, there were events and focused activities conveying this year’s theme, ‘Proud to be’, through which we  informed, educated, and prompted discussions with our pupils.

Our pupils researched famous scientists and mathematicians, linking their learning in science on classification with Ernest Everett Just, Emmett Chappelle, Katherine Johnson and Mae C. Jemison (NASA). They wrote non-chronological reports on African countries with a focus on the arts, tradition and culture. They studied Kwame Alexander’s poem, The Undefeated (a love poem to US black history), and composed their own versions, alongside discussions in religion and philosophy on the anti-slavery movement. Art lessons explored Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and investigated creative ways of displaying meaningful quotes by inspirational people. Meanwhile, research projects on notable black inventors such as George Washington Carver were explored in design and technology. Our children learnt about the life and works of Aretha Franklin in history lessons through her song ‘Respect’ and pupils wrote short biographies about influential people in British black history. In music they looked at the history of black music and how it influenced world music, beginning with slavery and the rise of gospel music in churches in America and exploring styles that have developed since including the blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock n roll, funk, soul music and reggae.

Black History Month was also celebrated through National Poetry Day and a poem a day was shared with pupils from a selection of writers from diverse backgrounds. In the Library there is also a dedicated space for pupils to explore writing from black authors including biographies about famous British personalities and book readings of selected black authors.

Our work as educators on issues of race and racism is not just for the month of October and our teaching staff have thoughtfully incorporated meaningful and impactful changes within our curriculum to foster inclusion and promote diversity, ensuring that all members of society are represented within the teaching and learning that takes place across the year.