School Workshops
Black History Month 2026 – Honouring our Communities
Linking to this year’s theme of “Honouring our Communities” our programme for 2026 celebrates, through poetry, the lives and achievements of some Black trailblazers who have made life better for everyone in the UK!
Introduction
A day starts with an opening assembly, followed by a series of workshops which use immersive techniques (including games and drama-based approaches) to introduce pupils to the theme.
| Year Groups | EYFS-Y6 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Poetry |
| Duration | Multiple workshops over one day |
| Space | Large space required eg hall or drama studio. |
Workshop Testimonials
“All the feedback from the teachers and pupils -across illustrated a very enjoyed day. Joe’s ability to think on the spot and deliver to a variety of needs and age groups! This is a very much a workshop and experience we would like to introduce to King’s Court on an annual basis. Thank you very much!”
“The whole school has thoroughly enjoyed having you here today and it’s been great to hear all the pupils talking so animatedly about your workshops and the poems they created.”
“The girls at Glendower LOVED the workshops! – they enjoyed the workshops immensely and thought the facilitator was fantastic! – they gained confidence around poetry, in addition to understanding the freedom attached to the concept of creating their own poem. We can’t wait to have you back!”
“Thomas Buxton really enjoyed celebrating National Poetry day this year. Thank you to who came in to help us write and perform our own poems about the environment. We love poetry! “
“I wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for your incredible delivery of National Poetry Day workshops. Your passion for poetry was clear, and every single one of the teachers spoke highly of you and your sessions. Similarly, the children were buzzing with excitement- I have received messages from parents about pupils’ enjoyment as well. It was a great day, and I look forward to your next visit.”
Honouring our Communities:
Primary Schools
A day starts with an opening assembly exploring the inspiring life of John Edmonstone – a man who, though born into slavery, became an important part of Edinburgh’s community and who literally went on to change the world. This leads to a series of workshops, normally for a year group at a time, apart from EYFS, where we prefer to work with each class individually). These use age-appropriate, drama-based activities to introduce children to someone honoured in our communities – and culminate in unique, collaborative poems!
EYFS/KS1: John Richard Archer – an ordinary boy from Liverpool who achieved the extraordinary feat of being elected the first Black Mayor in London!
Years 3 & 4: Lilian Bader – coincidentally also born in Liverpool, the first Black woman to join the Royal Air Force (and who played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain!).
Years 5 & 6: Paul Stephenson – after spending time, coincidentally, in the RAF, Paul stood up to institutional racism by organising the Bristol Bus Boycott, partly inspired by Rosa Parks!
Participating schools will receive designed and illustrated versions of all the collaborative poems.
Honouring our Communities
Secondary Schools
Linking to this year’s theme of “Honouring our Communities” our programme for 2026 celebrates, through poetry, the lives and achievements of some Black trailblazers who have made life better for everyone in the UK! Individual workshops can accommodate up to 60 students at a time, in sessions lasting from a single lesson upwards – potentially allowing a member of our team to work with a large number of students in a single day.
Workshops begin by introducing students to five Black people who have made important and enduring contributions to our communities …
John Edmonstone – a man who, though born into slavery, became an important part of Edinburgh’s community and who literally went on to change the world.
John Richard Archer – an ordinary boy from Liverpool who achieved the extraordinary feat of being elected the first Black Mayor in London!
Lilian Bader – coincidentally also born in Liverpool, the first Black woman to join the Royal Air Force (and who played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain!).
Paul Stephenson – after spending time, coincidentally, in the RAF, Paul stood up to institutional racism by organising the Bristol Bus Boycott, partly inspired by Rosa Parks!
Winifred Atwell – who abandoned a career as a pharmacist to become one of the UK’s most popular pianists and composers. She was the first Black woman to have a Number 1 single – and inspired, amongst others, Sir Elton John!
Each group will choose one individual – and explore them further through drama-based activities, before being guided through a process culminating in the crafting of unique, collaborative poems! Longer sessions, of course, can also see students being supported in writing and presenting their own poems.
Participating schools will receive designed and illustrated versions of all the collaborative poems.
Workshop FAQs
What is the format of the day?
We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. In a two-form entry primary school (with all year groups apart from Reception taking part in groups of up-to 60), the timetable might look like this:
09.00 – 09.20: (optional) Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will introduce the day…
09.20 – 10.00: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
10.00 – 10.40: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.40 – 11.20: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.20 – 11.50: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.30: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
1.30 – 2.10: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.10 – 2.50: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.50 – 3.30: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
What kind of space is required?
For groups of over 30, a large open space such as the school hall is required.
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the school hall, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.
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A drama-based workshop bringing to life the achievements of British women who have pushed the boundaries of science.