With October marking Black History Month in the UK, independent Birmingham school Riverside Education has made an informative start to the academic year, working constructively to educate its students on the UK’s Black History.
Riverside provides SEN-specific learning opportunities for roughly 100 pupils with varying needs, and this month’s Philosophy and Ethics lessons within the school have seen its students explore the story of Stephen Lawrence, who was a victim of hate crime due to his skin colour.
According to Riverside headteacher and founder, Dr Abide Zenenga, the tragic story of Stephen Lawrence has helped promote frank and honest conversations in school about the importance of reporting racism and prejudice and helping eliminate it from society.
Dr Zenenga, said: “Although the story of Stephen Lawrence was a difficult watch, it proved to be an educational and eye-opening experience for our students. It has started healthy, honest conversations about combating racism and prejudice, which ties into the British values that Riverside promotes.”
As part of Black History Month, Riverside also held a special assembly where everyone in attendance learned about three important figures to UK Black History: the organisers of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott.
Dr Zenenga continued: “The assembly was excellent. The three organisers of the boycott, Paul Stephenson, Roy Hackett, and Guy Bailey, aimed to allow people of colour to be part of any transit crew in the UK. Their success in the boycott changed the future of public transport in this country.
“It has been a very educational and informative start to the academic year and has helped make our students healthily aware of current issues affecting our society.”
Photo by James Eades on Unsplash
