BME (Black and Minority Ethnic)– also often referred to as BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) – describes those from cultural backgrounds other than White British, which in the UK is the majority ethnic group.
National data shows that although many BME children perform as well as and sometimes better than their majority ethnic peers, progress slows from the end of KS2 onwards and there is significant underachievement at KS3 and KS4.
Black heritage pupils are also over represented in school exclusions.
For these reasons schools are required to monitor this group as a ‘vulnerable cohort’.
Resources:
- Posters of BAME women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths here and here
- Race equality books here
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:
Windrush Day
On Monday June 22, the UK will mark the second ever Windrush Day, the date the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing with it more than 1,000 passengers from the West Indies who would transform British culture for the better. The call for an official Windrush Day began with author Patrick Vernon, who wrote in the Guardian in 2010 that the date represents ‘a powerful and iconic symbol of the rise of modern-day multicultural Britain’. Vernon began a petition to have June 22 recognised as a national holiday in 2013 but it wasn’t until 2019 that June 22 was officially observed as ‘Windrush Day’, giving us a chance to honour and commemorate the Windrush Generation and their legacy.
Resources:
- Virtual events to mark the day
- Lambeth Council’s resources for 2020
Why not use this excellent PowerPoint to celebrate Windrush Day 2020 with your pupils?
St Pauls’ Carnival – 22nd June until 4th July 2020
The vibrancy of Carnival will begin on the 22nd June 2020 with two weeks of online fringe events – preparing you for the day itself, culminating with a massive celebration on Carnival Day on 4th July 2020.
Carnival’s history, cultural significance and vibrancy are too important for Bristol to lose. Keep spirits up with us!
Spread the word of Bristol’s digital Carnival. We’ll be sharing more info soon so keep your eyes peeled…’
Click here to read our ideas on how to celebrate Black History month this October
BME Training Opportunities