Facing History Approach to Assemblies
Assemblies are a critical part of the school day. Regular assemblies provide an opportunity to bring your students together in order to introduce important issues and share your school’s values and priorities. Utilised correctly, assemblies have the potential to build an inclusive and supportive school community.
At Facing History, our assemblies have been designed to introduce students to significant annual and/or historical events, whilst supporting them to become empathetic and critical thinkers. Each assembly also provides students with opportunities to share their thoughts with each other, helping them to develop oracy and listening skills. The assemblies last for approximately 20 minutes, but can be adapted to suit your specific timing requirements.
Facing History assemblies do not require specialist knowledge and are suitable for use in a S1-4, or KS3-KS4 assembly or in tutor time/PSHE. Some assemblies have been adapted from existing Facing History lessons and resources available on our website, while others have been newly created.
Assemblies in October
There are five assemblies available for use in October.
National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day takes place on 3rd October and it is an opportunity for young people to celebrate poetry, words and voices. The theme for this year’s National Poetry Day is ‘play’. This assembly encourages young people to consider what play is and how poetry can be playful. Students engage with two poems that explore play in different ways and then are given the opportunity to write their own poem about play.
Black History Month
In the UK, Black History Month takes place throughout the month of October and it is an opportunity for schools to celebrate and centre Black history. The theme of Black History Month 2025 is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. It is about celebrating the Black individuals who have made history, leveraging their power for positive change, and about celebrating the rich culture, creativity and identity of the Black community. In this assembly, students are asked to consider why the theme was chosen, before learning a bit about the figures and events being commemorated this year: Lord Herman Ouseley, Paul Stephenson OBE, Malcolm X and the anniversary of the Race Relations Act 1965. Students then watch a video about the Bristol Bus Boycott, which Stephenson helped organise and which paved the way for the Race Relations Act 1965, before reflecting on what they have learnt and the importance of Black History Month.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10th October and is an opportunity for us to centre conversations around mental health and wellbeing. These conversations are essential as mental health conditions are on the rise. This assembly encourages young people to consider the state of their own mental health and what steps they can take to improve it. They will also have the opportunity to watch a video that explores the impact that poor mental health can have and how people can look after their mental health.
Anti-Slavery Day
Anti-Slavery Day takes place annually on 18th October and it is an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery. During this assembly, students will have an opportunity to consider if slavery is still an issue that should concern us today and will reflect on some statistics around modern slavery. They will also have an opportunity to watch a video about the Olympian Mo Farah, who was a victim of human trafficking as a child.
ADHD Awareness Month
ADHD Awareness takes place throughout the month of October and is an opportunity to educate people about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to help those with ADHD gain the support and understanding they need. The theme of ADHD Awareness Month 2025 is ‘The Many Faces of ADHD’. This theme highlights how there is not one type of person who has ADHD, ADHD affects a diverse range of people, and that everyone experiences the condition in slightly different ways. In this assembly, students are asked to consider what neurodiversity is before they are given information on ADHD and how it impacts those who have it. Students watch a video in which a school girl explains her experiences of living with ADHD before learning about some tips that can help those with ADHD manage it.
Notes for Use
Download the student-facing slides here. While you may need to modify these to meet the needs of your students, please note that Facing History and Ourselves does not endorse any changes that alter the presentation's content or original layout.
