Rob King
Following University, Rob worked as a TA within an SEND Department, dealing with a vast array of trainees with different needs. He then finished his PGCE in History at the Institute of Education, London. He had the chance to train with remarkable and inspiring coworkers, …
Find out more about Rob King
Is your school curriculum suitable for the 21st century?
As we draw towards completion of October, and the end of Black History Month it is ideal that we assess our Curriculum offering. October must have been a minute of event and inclusion. A minute to concentrate on the diversity of Black History.
The value of being inclusive
Markedly, twenty-first century Britain is a country of intricacy. With a large range of diverse neighborhoods and abundant cultural customs from all over the world.
Historically, Britain has actually had a challenging relationship with its royal past. As a result, much of the variety we see in Britain is because of the historic actions of the British Empire. Undoubtedly, this history quite underpins much of the stress that have existed in decades passed. However, it is likewise the factor Britain enjoys such diverse cultural customs. It is right that we must look for to move away from the old historic imperial stories and that we seek to welcome the Britain of the 21st century. The Britain of the future.
Black History Month suggests different things to different individuals. Numerous see the month as an opportunity to check out and celebrate the individual and cultural histories of those of African and Caribbean descent.
Actions not words
If on reflection, October was not all it might be for you, your school and your community. If you did not give the curriculum time over to explore, welcome and commemorate. Now is the time for you to alter.
Undeniably, belief is good, however actions are much better.
Think of the students you teach, the students in your class or school. Has your curriculum done their personal and cultural histories justice? Have you expanded the perspectives of those pupils without the cultural capital you consider approved?
Modification yourself
First of all, designate your expert development time in the year ahead to change what you know.
Plainly, it is the confidence and understanding of the instructor in the classroom that dictates the quality of Black History/cultural education.
Look for courses, read extensively and engage with individuals who are professionals or have lived experience. In this linked world we live in there are numerous websites, blogs and twitter threads which offer a chance for betterment.
Change your curriculum
Arguably, the national curriculum has long determined a stagnant and reductive student experience; pressing an over-simplistic white British version of history and cultural custom.
In spite of the reality that academies do not need to stick so strictly to the national curriculum, lots of schools still insist on the slow plod through time from 1066 to present day, making the stops at the normal suspects, spanning a variety of bearded white males. Plainly, it is not a fast fix but you should alter your curriculum to represent and accept Britain’s diversity. Look for examples of Black History to support what you already teach. World War One is a classic example, a lot of schools concentrate on the trenches of the Western Front and completely stop working to acknowledge the contributions of soldiers from around the Empire.
This change of curriculum can exceed the History classroom. In the Art class, the Food Innovation class, the English Class, and practically every other subject there is sufficient chance to explore the cultural traditions of a progressively diverse school community, in addition to additional inform non-diverse communities.
October is only the start …
Black History Month has actually been criticised by some, including actor Morgan Freeman, who considers the principle of a month of black history to be ‘outrageous’. That is to say, it can be reductive. Black history is British history. It is world history.
Subsequently, October needs to be utilized as a chance to spotlight the accomplishments and contributions of black individuals to the development of British and world history. Whilst building on a year long, constant inclusion of black history and cultural customs in the larger school curriculum.
