Resources for Celebrating Black History Month

In the UK, Black History Month takes place throughout the month of October and is an opportunity for schools to celebrate and centre Black history. 

The theme of Black History Month 2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and is about ensuring that Black British history is told with respect, dignity and accuracy, and that Black Britons are heard, have their experiences acknowledged, and their contributions celebrated. 

It is also an invitation to Black Britons to take part in shaping how Black British stories are told. 

Facing History UK has several resources that can help teachers to centre and celebrate Black British History with their students this October. 

We have an assembly focused on the Black History Month theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.

In this assembly, students consider what narratives are, and how they impact people’s understanding of the world and of their culture and identity. They also have the opportunity to listen to and discuss John Agard’s poem ‘Checking Out Me History’, which explores how history and the stories we hear shape us. In this poem, Agard recounts the achievements of Black people, directly challenging their absence from mainstream school curriculums, and in so doing ensures we remember and celebrate them.

This theme underscores a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally. #ReclaimingNarratives

- Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE, Author

Facing History UK has also created a student drop down day, Celebrating Black History, which focuses on the importance of Black history and helps young people learn about important Black British figures. 

There is content for a full day of learning, which is divided into five sessions:

• Session 1: This session explores the theme of identity, encouraging students to reflect on how aspects of their identities are more visible or felt in certain situations. 
• Session 2: This session explores the theme of representation, and students reflect on how Black British history is represented through the books and subjects they study at school.
• Session 3: This session explores activism and gives students the opportunity to learn about Black individuals who have made a difference. 
• Sessions 4 & 5: These sessions are on the theme of Choosing to Act. In the first session, students learn about individuals/groups who have stood up against injustice, and research their own individual/event. In the second session, students then share presentations about their chosen individual/event. There are two versions, one for students aged 11-14 years and another for those aged 14-16 years. 

This drop down day can be taught as an off timetable day or as separate sessions. Moreover, it is suitable for delivery at any point during the school year, not just during Black History Month. 

In addition to providing schools with resources to teach their students about Black British history, it also supports schools in invigorating their History, PSHE and Citizenship curriculums, whilst providing young people with additional enrichment and personal development opportunities.

If you would like to reflect further on the importance of Black History Month, please consider reading some of the following articles written by Facing History students and staff. 

• Student Reflections on Black History Month

Assistant Headteacher and Facing History Teacher Leader Sanum Khan shares an important conversation she had with students during Black History Month.

• ‘Representation really matters’: Why Black history should be taught in British schools

In this article, Facing History Executive Director, Beki Martin, looks at why Black history should be taught in British schools.