We think that the celebration of Black history in England should not be relegated to one month a year and should be made mandatory across all schools in England from ages 8-16. It should not be separate history because it is a part of British History.

In 2013, the teaching of Black history was essentially made optional by removing the national curriculum’s compulsory section stating that students must study the British history of colonialism and slavery. Data from 2019 found that only up to 11% of GCSE students were studying modules that referred to Black people’s contribution to Britain. Out of the 59 GCSE history modules put together by the nation’s biggest exam boards, just five referenced Black history in Britain.