The stories of pioneering Black voices and Swindon and Wiltshire’s Windrush generation were in at Lawn Manor Academy for October’s Black History Month.
This year’s national Black History Month theme is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, underscoring a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage.
Throughout the month, pupils focused on different areas of Black history, including time dedicated to the work of notable poet Linton Kwesi Johnson and writer Benjamin Zephaniah, as well as inventors and scientists including Elijah McCoy and Dr Patricia Bath.
Ownership of Black History Month was also passed over to pupils who led assemblies on the theme by sharing stories that they had found in their research, as well as of their own history. They also took the opportunity to share some of their cultural history, including dancing.
Alex Gasche, Head of Social Sciences at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “Black History Month is an important time to stop and acknowledge the contributions of Black people to our history and society.
"With this year’s Black History Month theme being ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ we were very pleased to work with Swindon Libraries’ Local Studies department to bring the historic experiences of Black people in our area to life through their own words.
“Black History Month has been woven into almost every day of school life for the month. However, it was especially important to enable our own pupils to take control and tell their own stories and history through the pupil-led assemblies.
"Their research and stories taught us things about Black history that even I, as a historian, didn’t know about.”
Lessons across the curriculum took inspiration from Black History Month and the school’s special daily ILEARN sessions included narratives from the local studies department of Swindon Library.
Students have been learning about the Caribbean lunch and social club and interviews were carried out with people who moved from the Caribbean and found themselves living in Wiltshire.
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information on Lawn Manor Academy, people can visit www.lawnmanor.org
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