Black History Month

• newEditor
• History
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Introductie

A lesson aimed at introducing the concept of the 'hidden' history of black people in the United Kingdom. This lesson explores the concept of Black History Month, encourages your students to explore their black heroes, and then explores some of the less-recognised or less-familiar faces from the past. 📋 Lesson Description Overview The Hook: Students evaluate the historical significance and key achievements of influential Black British figures across multiple eras. The lesson addresses common misconceptions while examining the lasting societal impacts of individuals from Ignatius Sancho to Claudia Jones. Interactive Highlights: Prior knowledge brainstorms and achievement consolidation via interactive Word Clouds. Informative hotspot slides detailing the lives and legacies of key historical figures. Contextual video clip exploring the UK origins and importance of Black History Month. Targeted Multiple Choice Questions checking understanding of historical events and political influences. Best Suited For: Designed for Key Stage 2 through Further Education History and Citizenship units, ideal for live whole-class delivery or small-group discussion.

Instructies

Simply load the lesson up to start teaching right away! Or save the lesson to your user area and customise the lesson to your own tastes. Maybe consider uploading some information about local black heroes from your own geographical area or areas of teaching expertise and subject specialisms.

Black History Month - 2025

What happened to the union flag?

Union Black by Chris Ofili: a British flag altered to use the pan-African colours. Part of a series with pan-African colours by Ofili first shown in 2003 at the British Pavilion of the 50th Venice Biennale, and subsequently flown from the Tate Britain on various occasions. Since 2017 the flag has been owned by Tate Britain; according to a press release; it was donated by the artist.

Key historical contexts and influential figures shape this unit on Black History Month. Target questions prompt students to evaluate historical significance and engage directly with core themes.

How many famous black Britons can you name?

How many famous black Britons can you name? 

This initial prompt draws out existing prior knowledge and establishes a baseline of student awareness regarding influential figures in Black British history.

Stretch: Challenge students to categorise their named figures by historical era or field of achievement, justifying which individual made the most significant long-term impact.

Device-Free: Conduct a rapid-fire brainstorm using mini-whiteboards or compile student responses directly on the main whiteboard.

The great news is...

     ... you probably managed to name quite a few! 

        Perhaps your class included some of the following famous faces... 

Olajide Olayinka Williams "JJ" Olatunji (born June 19, 1993), known professionally as KSI, is an English social media influencer, professional boxer, and musician. He is a co-founding member of YouTube group The Sidemen, the CEO of Misfits Boxing, and the co-owner of Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides, cereal brand Best Breakfasts, and snack brand Lunchly.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a British retired athlete, specialising in the heptathlon and 100 metres hurdles. As a competitor in the heptathlon, she is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion (2009, 2011, 2015), and the 2010 European champion. She is also the 2010 World Indoor pentathlon champion.

Jorja Smith is an English singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Walsall, West Midlands, she has been writing songs since the age of 11. In 2012, Smith's friend uploaded her cover of Labrinth's "Earthquake" to YouTube, which led to her discovery by record producer Guy Moot. After her first two singles received broader recognition, she signed with Sony/ATV in early 2016, releasing two EPs throughout later that year and into 2017.

Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (born 26 July 1993), known professionally as Stormzy, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2014, he gained attention on the UK underground music scene through his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats. Stormzy's song "Shut Up", which was initially released as a freestyle on YouTube, became popular and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after he launched a campaign to reach Christmas number one.

Jude Victor William Bellingham (born 29 June 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team. He is considered one of the best players in the world.

Interactive visual hotspots contextualise the key achievements and historical contributions of prominent contemporary Black British figure

Stretch: Ask students to select one highlighted figure and evaluate how their actions shaped modern British society.

Device-Free: Project the illustration and have students write down key facts and accomplishments for each featured individual using mini-whiteboards.

The great news is...

     ... you probably managed to name quite a few! 

        Perhaps your class included some of the following famous faces... 

Olajide Olayinka Williams "JJ" Olatunji (born June 19, 1993), known professionally as KSI, is an English social media influencer, professional boxer, and musician. He is a co-founding member of YouTube group The Sidemen, the CEO of Misfits Boxing, and the co-owner of Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides, cereal brand Best Breakfasts, and snack brand Lunchly.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a British retired athlete, specialising in the heptathlon and 100 metres hurdles. As a competitor in the heptathlon, she is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion (2009, 2011, 2015), and the 2010 European champion. She is also the 2010 World Indoor pentathlon champion.

Jorja Smith is an English singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Walsall, West Midlands, she has been writing songs since the age of 11. In 2012, Smith's friend uploaded her cover of Labrinth's "Earthquake" to YouTube, which led to her discovery by record producer Guy Moot. After her first two singles received broader recognition, she signed with Sony/ATV in early 2016, releasing two EPs throughout later that year and into 2017.

Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (born 26 July 1993), known professionally as Stormzy, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2014, he gained attention on the UK underground music scene through his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats. Stormzy's song "Shut Up", which was initially released as a freestyle on YouTube, became popular and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after he launched a campaign to reach Christmas number one.

Jude Victor William Bellingham (born 29 June 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team. He is considered one of the best players in the world.

But sadly this wasn't always the case.

Imagine not celebrating the achievements and social impacts of anyone in your class list!

But that is how it was for years in the past. 

Now you know the simplest answer to the question, 

"Why do we have Black History Month here in the UK?"

This Newsround clip brings real-world context to the origins and significance of Black History Month within the UK.

Stretch: Challenge students to outline three key facts from the video and justify why observing Black History Month remains vital today.

Device-Free: Pause the video at key points for quick paired discussions and have students write down core takeaways on mini-whiteboards.

Let's take a look at 4 black British heroes, you may not have heard of...

Ignatius Sancho

Ignatius Sancho was an abolitionist, writer, business owner and composer. Born on a slave ship on the Atlantic Ocean in 1729, Ignatius was sold into slavery and spent eighteen years in the service of an English family. He escaped and eventually established his own business as a bookkeeper. He became a key figure in the British abolitionist movement and campaigned tirelessly against the institution of slavery.

What is particularly remarkable about Ignatius Sancho is that he is the first known Black British person to have voted. His status as a property owner made him eligible to vote, which he did for the first time in 1774.

Ignatius passed away in 1780 and two years later a collection of his letters were published which detailed first-hand his experience of slavery.

Information from: https://travelnoire.com/black-brits-who-made-history-uk

Key details contextualise the life and achievements of Ignatius Sancho as a prominent 18th-century British abolitionist, composer, and writer.

Stretch: Ask students to evaluate how Sancho used his social position and written letters to challenge contemporary Georgian views on race and slavery.

Device-Free: Display Sancho's key biographical facts on the main board and have students summarise his three main accomplishments using mini-whiteboards.

Mary Seacole

Mary Seacole saved countless lives as a nurse in the Crimean War, with her “British Hotel” providing rest and treatment for injured soldiers. Seacole grew up in Jamaica under colonial rule, where she learned to nurse by helping her mother take care of British soldiers using traditional Caribbean herbal remedies.

Her father was Scottish, and Mary took pride in both her British and Jamaican heritage. However, Seacole experienced racism from many in Britain due to her dual heritage.

When war broke out in Crimea (in modern-day Ukraine), Seacole volunteered to work as a nurse with Florence Nightingale, but was rejected because of discrimination against her heritage. Seacole was determined, so she set up her own Crimean War hospital using money she had made as a merchant.

After the war, Seacole had very little money left. However, thousands of grateful soldiers helped to raise funds for her as thanks for her lifesaving work.

In a 2003 poll, Mary Seacole was named the greatest Black Briton of all time.

Information from: https://nowpressplay.co.uk/black-history-month-5-inspiring-figures-blog/

Key details contextualise Mary Seacole's medical achievements and her pioneering work providing care during the Crimean War.

Stretch: Challenge students to evaluate why Seacole's contributions were historically overlooked compared to contemporary figures like Florence Nightingale.

Device-Free: Display Seacole's key biographical facts on the main board and have students write down her primary accomplishments using mini-whiteboards.

Sir Learie Constantine

Sir Learie Constantine was a Black cricketer, lawyer, and politician who settled in Lancashire after arriving from Trinidad in 1928, and became the UK's first black peer. He served as Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and played 18 Test matches for the West Indies before the Second World War.

Constantine was allowed to sit in the House of Lords, partaking in political debates. He became known as an advocate of racial equality, and was influential in the passing of the 1965 Race Relations Act in Britain.

He was knighted in 1962 and made a life peer in 1969.

Information from: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/black-british-history-historical-figures-people-icons-b1116111.html

Key details contextualise Sir Learie Constantine's legacy as a pioneering cricketer, civil rights campaigner, and Britain's first Black peer.

Stretch: Challenge students to evaluate how Constantine's legal victory against racial discrimination paved the way for subsequent British civil rights legislation.

Device-Free: Display Constantine's core achievements on the main board and ask students to summarise his primary contributions to modern Britain using mini-whiteboards.

Claudia Jones

Activist Claudia Jones campaigned on behalf of the Caribbean community. She was the founder of London Carnival, the forerunner to Notting Hill Carnival, in addition to founding the West Indian Gazette.

Her early experiences of racism in America shaped her thinking, including the way she thought about women and people of colour.

Jones is today still considered a contributor in laying the groundwork for intersectional feminism.

Information from: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/black-british-history-historical-figures-people-icons-b1116111.html

Key details contextualise Claudia Jones's role as a pioneering political activist, founder of the West Indian Gazette, and driving force behind the Notting Hill Carnival.

Stretch: Ask students to evaluate how Jones used community media and cultural celebration to combat racial discrimination in post-war Britain.

Device-Free: Display Jones's main achievements on the front board and ask students to summarise her two most significant contributions using mini-whiteboards.

What shaped Claudia Jones' thinking?

A

Cultural traditions

B

Early experiences of racism in America

C

Education in Europe

D

A newspaper article

This multiple-choice question addresses common misconceptions regarding the specific personal experiences and political movements that shaped Claudia Jones' activism.

Stretch: Ask students to justify their choice by detailing how Jones' experiences of migration and discrimination influenced her political philosophy.

Device-Free: Conduct a quick visual vote using mini-whiteboards or finger cards prior to revealing the correct answer on the main board.

What is Claudia Jones known for founding?

A

Ballet Company

B

London Carnival

C

Opera House

D

West Indian Gazette

This multiple-choice question addresses common misconceptions regarding the timeline and historical impact of Black British figures.

Stretch: Challenge students to explain why incorrect options are plausible and justify their choice using evidence from historical sources.

Device-Free: Conduct a quick visual vote using mini-whiteboards or ABCD finger cards before revealing the answer on the main board.

What did Sir Learie Constantine advocate for?

A

Economic growth

B

Racial equality

C

Environmental conservation

D

Free Healthcare

This multiple-choice question addresses common misconceptions regarding the timeline and historical impact of Black British figures.

Stretch: Challenge students to explain why incorrect options are plausible and justify their choice using evidence from historical sources.

Device-Free: Conduct a quick visual vote using mini-whiteboards or ABCD finger cards before revealing the answer on the main board.

Why was Mary Seacole rejected to work as a nurse in the Crimean War?

A

Lack of experience

B

Health issues

C

Discrimination against her heritage

D

A fear of travelling

This multiple-choice question addresses common misconceptions regarding the timeline and historical impact of Black British figures.

Stretch: Challenge students to explain why incorrect options are plausible and justify their choice using evidence from historical sources.

Device-Free: Conduct a quick visual vote using mini-whiteboards or ABCD finger cards before revealing the answer on the main board.

What was Ignatius Sancho's occupation?

A

Farmer

B

Writer

C

Soldier

D

Composer

This multiple-choice question addresses common misconceptions regarding the timeline and historical impact of Black British figures.

Stretch: Challenge students to explain why incorrect options are plausible and justify their choice using evidence from historical sources.

Device-Free: Conduct a quick visual vote using mini-whiteboards or ABCD finger cards before revealing the answer on the main board.

How many famous black Britons can you name?

What are some of the achievements of the people you shared in the first mindmap?

This word cloud activity aggregates student recall regarding the major achievements and contributions of previously identified Black British figures.

Stretch: Challenge students to select one key achievement submitted to the cloud and justify why it had the greatest long-term impact on modern society.

Device-Free: Ask students to write one major achievement on a mini-whiteboard and display them simultaneously to form a physical response grid.

Made by

Information from: https://nowpressplay.co.uk/black-history-month-5-inspiring-figures-blog/