Celebrating Black History Month and Reclaiming Narratives in School
Today is the first day of October, which marks the beginning of Black History Month. This blog explores the meaning behind the month and this year’s theme, and offers meaningful ways you can embed Black history in school this month and beyond.
Keep reading for details about the Big Picture News Black History Month Assembly, too!
What is Black History Month?
Black History Month takes place throughout October in the UK. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and sombre contemplation upon Black people’s experiences and contributions to society.
What is this year’s theme?
The 2024 theme for Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, with a focus on empowerment and the reshaping of narratives and ideas that have marginalised and overlooked Black individuals and culture. It encourages reflection on how, collectively, we can work together for inclusivity, accuracy and equality within the stories we uphold.
Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE writes on Blackhistorymonth.org:
‘This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture. By emphasising “Reclaiming Narratives,” we shine a brighter light on our stories, allegories, and history. This theme underscores a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.’
Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE
Celebrating Black History Month in School (and beyond!)
Black History Month is a significant event celebrated by countries around the world, including the UK, US, Germany and Ireland. Schools can play an important role in extending the impact of the month, for long-lasting positive effects on school life and those within it.
- Assemblies
Include Black history within your assembly themes. You may wish to focus on particular individuals who inspire, someone who has made a significant impact to an industry, or initiatives happening to celebrate Black history.
Encourage pupil participation within your assemblies. Can pupils collate their own research for the theme of your assembly? Can some present? Who will create the PowerPoint? Turning your Black history assemblies into a collective effort is an effective way to stir excitement and enthusiasm, whilst also encouraging children to learn and think about Black history more deeply.
You may also wish to invite guest speakers into school to share their experiences, background, ambitions and achievements, to inspire the children and help them learn from others’ stories.
While it’s great to host Black history-themed assemblies throughout October, remember to go beyond this month. Assemblies exploring Black history are necessary all year round!
Some help getting started with your assemblies
We’ve made a resource pack, useful for assemblies, to celebrate this year’s Black History Month. We explore ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, and discuss Penguin’s Lit in Colour reading lists which share an array of voices. The resource asks children the big question, ‘How important is it to know about the author behind the book?’
You can access the pack for free here!
- Pupil-led research projects
Why not set research projects within classes across school? Perhaps children could complete the task in groups or independently, and then present their findings. The research project focus could function as a tribute to the ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ theme.
Some topics could be:
- A fact file about a Black author, including their background, the work they’ve created, projects they’ve taken part in or led
- A presentation on a literary genre that includes works by Black authors and creatives
- An exploration of the importance of diversity within school book collections
- A deep-dive into a novel written by a Black author
- Newspaper reports
Your pupils may wish to write newspaper articles, reporting the different ways their community is celebrating Black History Month.
They may like to produce an opinion piece on the month. For instance, thoughts on ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and their ideas for how we can explore Black history at school and home.
- Host a community celebration
Involve all members of your school community to celebrate and raise awareness of Black History Month. Think about who you will invite and what style of celebration you’d like to host. E.g., a parade, party or fair.
Encourage the children to help you with the planning and hosting of the event, to help them become empowered with an increased understanding of the meaning behind what you are doing.
- Create artwork across school
Thinking about the theme this year, children could choose to reflect their thoughts and knowledge of Black History Month through art. They might wish to use a variety of mediums – poetry, paintings, drama, songs, collages – that are influenced by and celebrate ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.
You may wish to display their lovely artwork in a communal area of school, for all to see and to proudly share the work with others.
- Make a communal display
On the topic of displays, you may wish to collate the work done throughout school to celebrate Black history to feature on a display. Choose a communal area in school for teachers, pupils, parents and visitors to see. Can the children help you create the display, and have a say on what’s included?
Will you feature information on Black History Month, descriptions of the theme this year, and the children’s work? How about speech bubbles to reflect the children’s thoughts and ideas about Black History Month? Will you include extracts from pieces of literature chosen from books which reflect Black history and the theme? Consider regularly updating your display for fresh content and to display different pieces of work.
The Big Picture News Black History Month Assembly – You’re invited!
With BBC Radio 1 Xtra presenter, Swarzy Macaly, we’re hosting the Big Picture News Black History Month Assembly for primary schools!
We’ll explore the theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, hear from Swarzy, and include your questions.
Free Zoom Live Assembly
Tuesday 15th October
9:30am – 10:00am
Register here!
It’s not just about October
Meaningfully and purposefully embedding Black history and educating children about Black individuals and culture is crucial to extend the message behind Black History Month.
Make sure your focus on Black individuals – whether they be innovators, entrepreneurs, artists or sportspeople to name a few – is not bound to the month of October. For lasting and meaningful impact, ensure your curriculum and coverage in school is inclusive and reflective of the children you teach, and the world they live in, all year round.
Some considerations:
- Begin with your schools values and ethos. Do you uphold an inclusive culture that embraces diversity in school? Does your school’s ethos encourage children to live out values of respect and empathy? How do you ensure this is put into action?
- Be mindful of your teaching content. Are all members of your school community reflected in the content available to children? Can children see themselves in the coverage? What about your school library? Consider conducting regular audits to ensure that an inclusive variety of teaching materials are used in school. The children could contribute to your audits too, to further help them understand the importance of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and inclusive content. Find opportunities to embed diversity within your curriculum, such as history, science and art. What figures can you meaningfully include in these subjects?
Further useful links and resources
Websites and resources:
- Black History Month
- The British government’s outline of how Black History Month is taught in schools
- BBC Bitesize
Children’s books:
- Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation, Baroness Floella Benjamin
- Black and British: A short, essential history, David Olusoga
- Little People, Big Dreams, Maya Angelou
- Speak Up! Nathan Bryon
- My Hair, Hannah Lee