The conversations regarding Black Lives Matter and the work to tackle racial injustice has provided an opportunity to learn about Black history and voices. I am therefore pleased that schools have the freedom to teach it from primary school age onwards, as part of the history curriculum. I am aware that schools have flexibility over how they teach this subject with multiple courses to choose from and can make use of a wide range of resources, such as those made available by the BBC and TES.
I am also encouraged that the national curriculum provides several opportunities for pupils to be taught about different societies and how different groups have contributed to the development of Britain, and that this can include the voices and experience of Black people. The UK and beyond has been enriched by the contributions of Black people; citizens of the Commonwealth serving in the British forces during the First and Second World War, and the Windrush generation’s work in helping to rebuild the country following the Second World War are significant examples.
I am appalled by the racism experienced by many people from a Black and ethnic minority background. It has no place in our communities and we all have a part to play in tackling it. The wealth of diversity across our country is something to be celebrated, so I am pleased that the national curriculum allows us to do exactly that.
I believe that people should get in touch with their local schools to encourage the inclusion of Black history and voices in the curriculum. I have sent a letter to secondary schools within Chichester encouraging our schools to make the most out of this significant time to teach Black history.