Alongside embedding racial diversity and inclusion throughout our whole curriculum, we have also taken the opportunity to specifically focus on Black History Month, celebrating the contributions and achievements of a diverse range of individuals. Some of the activities taking place within our academic departments include:

Design Technology

Learning theory from famous black designers, particularly architects. Pupils have been exploring the numerous ways which different cultures have impacted the world of design, whilst highlighting issues with the 110 leading architectural firms in America that do not include black architects. From this, the department has been covering the ‘grass-roots’ action being taken by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the UK, where they are setting up funding for aspiring black architects to assist with university fees.

Drama

The Drama team has been holding evening screenings of performances of ‘Barbershop Chronicles’ by Inua Ellams and ‘Small Island’ by Andrea Levy and Helen Edmundson.

English

A Year 9 competition will see the entire year group create posters and explain why their chosen individual is inspirational to them. The English department has also renamed their classes to include a wider diversity of writers and poets.

Modern Foreign Languages

The MFL department has organised a diverse range of activities for all year groups, including: 

• Franco-African and Belgian music appreciation: MC Solaar, Magic System, Stromae
• Mini project: Research French-speaking African or Caribbean countries, focusing on key aspects of culture, music and dance
• Study of cultural celebrities such as Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta, notable sportspersons like Ansu Fati, Jerome Boateng and Steffi Jones, and singers Haddaway and Cassandra Steen

Music

Year 8 pupils have been undertaking a Half Term project on Blues, studying the impact of Black African culture in the USA – key figures include Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith. The project also aims to educate pupils on how black musicians helped to develop Jass, BeBop, Soul, R&B and other popular music genres. To conclude the project, pupils will write and perform their very own Blues song.

Science

For each week of October, the Science department has been showcasing black scientists and inventors, including the likes of Juliana Rotich.

Over the course of the last year, the College has been working with FLAIR Impact, an analytics company that supports organisations in achieving racial equity. Our relationship with FLAIR will allow us to drive meaningful change throughout the College, ensuring that Pangbourne is a diverse and inclusive environment for individuals of all backgrounds.