CARGO – Key Stage 2 & 3 Black History Resources for Teachers (FREE)

We’re delighted to flag up these stunning, FREE resources for primary and secondary teachers, to diversify the KS2-3 History curriculum; the creators would welcome feedback on how you’ve used them in your school! There is also a linked FutureLearn course available here.


Roy Hackett – A Life Remembered

The life of Bristol civil rights hero, Roy Hackett, will be remembered on Friday 16th Sept 2022 as Bristol acknowledges the sad passing of a local historical figure – and one of the organisers of the 1963 Bristol bus boycott, which helped usher in the Race Relations Act.

Details of the funeral cortege can be found here: herehttps://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/funeral-of-roy-hackett-set-to-bring-streets-to-a-standstill/

As Black History Month 2022 approaches, schools may wish to explore and celebrate the life of Roy Hackett and others – you can find some relevant resources here:


New Blog on School Exclusions & Ethnicity by Feyisa Demie

‘Our findings indicated that ethnic and SEN disparities were caused by multiple factors, including teachers’ low expectations, institutional racism, stereotyping, unconscious bias, poverty and lack of diversity.’

Feyisa Demie has published a new book on this subject; read his thought-provoking blog on the subject here: 


How well do you understand our Muslim community in Bristol?

As part of Bristol City Council’s Race and the City 2 events, an excellent webinar was held on 9th December 2021 (attended by our director, Catherine), entitled ‘A Spotlight on Muslims in Bristol and their Diversity’. Hosted by the Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG), their website provides a range of useful resources, free for all to use and share.

We would particularly recommend their updated and informative booklet ‘Muslims in Bristol and Britain’.

Resources:

  • Posters of BAME women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths here and here
  • Race equality books here

Britain’s first female Black Headteacher – Yvonne Connolly, RIP

We were very sad to hear of the recent death of Yvonne Connolly, who featured in our Autumn 2020 Better Bilingual e-newsletter – described as a “remarkable trailblazing educator and a wonderfully supportive woman” by former Times Education Supplement editor, Ann Mroz. Read more here:

Tributes flood in for Yvonne Connolly, Britain’s first black headteacher, after her death


Black Lives Matter

As schools do their best to support pupils and families to understand and manage the aftermath of the tragic death of George Floyd in the US, Better Bilingual would like to highlight some new and historic resources to help with the #BLM agenda. Check out this BME page regularly for a variety of recommended Race Equality resources to use with children and families.

Parents’ Guide to Black Lives Matter –

This highly recommended guide includes ‘Resources, Activities and Tips for Families to empower children to work towards racial equality’. It could be equally useful for supporting teachers and school leaders as well as parents and carers.

Black Lives Matter: 500 Words Competition 2020

How did your school or organisation celebrate Black History Month 2020, in this historic year for Black Lives Matter? Stephen and Catherine participated as judges in the annual BBC Radio 2 500 Words Competition which this year asked for contributions inspired by Black Lives Matter. If your school participated, we’d love to hear feedback on how the children engaged with this.


Black History Month – Recommended resources for schools from October 2020

Perhaps you’ve embedded diversity into your school curriculum all year round (the ideal!) or you plan to use some Black History Month resources at other times. A few of the resources we love and recommend from this year are:

  • A fascinating 4-minute video about Yvonne Connolly who became Britain’s first female black headteacher in 1969
  • A detailed Guardian article about our very own local hero, Paul Stephenson, organiser of the Bristol Bus Boycott

Whether for a teaching focus on history, autobiography or equality – or for a staff training session, perhaps – we recommend both of these excellent resources for encouraging reflection and sparking useful debates.


BME Training Opportunities

Currently, Better Bilingual offers the following training to support this work, on request:


‘The duty to promote British values: issues for schools’

By the end of the session you will have increased your understanding of:

– The background to the government’s decision to require schools to promote British values

– A range of good practice to promote British values


“Supporting Equality: valuing ethnicity, culture and language in children’s learning”

By the end of the session you will have developed your confidence and understanding of…

…the context of this work

…the importance of valuing the ethnicity, culture and language of all children

…a range of good practice to support equality, inclusion and cultural diversity in your school


‘Supporting Equality: ensuring the attainment of Black heritage pupils’

By the end of the session you will have increased your confidence and understanding of:

– Issues affecting Black achievement

– How to address underachievement in pupils of Black heritage


To discuss any of the above and arrange a training session in your setting please contact: info@betterbilingual.co.uk