Black History Month 2022

Students and staff at Beauchamp College have been immersed in celebrating black history this week, (as a shared history, not a separate history), by engaging in and promoting the following events:

Gatherings have linked Black history with themes of protected characteristics and equality Vs equity.

Students have experienced the poetic words of Samuel King, a North London born black man, who wrote a powerful poem for his teachers entitled ‘What I Wasn’t Taught in School’.

Year 13 students, Princess and Kevin, delivered key note speeches during the gatherings covering The Windrush Generation, reasons for October being the month that explicitly celebrates Black history and a message of ‘Time for Action: Not Words’. All year groups responded with a spontaneous round of applause!

Mr Goodchild has generated a recommended reading list, which has been emailed out to all Beauchamp students.

On Thursday 27th October the whole school enjoyed a presentation from the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, based at DeMontfort University, that once again addressed themes of diversity and inclusion.

On the same day, catering staff planned a Jamaican inspired menu, with the aim of encouraging further conversation between students and between students and staff, at lunch. Teaching staff will continue to explore Black history by using prominent black figures as examples of ‘culture-influencers’ in their everyday teaching.

‘Diversity Ambassadors’ will be appointed and they will get the opportunity to continue to work with the Stephen Lawrence Centre and therefore help pave the way, by promoting equity for all, for generations to come. Sixth Form students at Beauchamp College are currently researching and collecting material in preparation for a school podcast related to Black history. They will also draw from the expertise of the SLRC based at Demontfort University.

Once complete, this will be made available to students and staff across the trust. Watch this space!

It has truly been a week of consideration and contemplation.