School Workshops
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Jonkonnu Masquerade
EYFS, Key Stage 1 & Lower Key Stage 2 History, Art and Music
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
Jonkonnu (or Junkanoo) masquerade started on the plantations of the Caribbean, with possible Akan, Yoruba or Igbo origins. Traditionally performed around Christmas or New Year – the only time off for enslaved labourers – the characters are steeped in meaning and the drumming and dancing represent resistance and cultural affirmation.
In this workshop, pupils will learn about the history, music and costume of Jonkonnu, and perform a mini masquerade of their own.
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Windrush Journeys
Key Stage 2 History
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
Explore the aspirations, experiences, and legacies of the Caribbean communities who were part of the post-war journey to Britain.
Through immersive activities and object handling, pupils will develop greater insight into the challenges that Caribbean people faced and overcame in Britain, and the positive impact they have made on our laws and culture.
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Black Abolitionists in Georgian London
Key Stage 2 History and English
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
This workshop explores the work of the Sons of Africa – Black abolitionists living and working in Georgian London.
It begins with an exploration of the art and culture of Benin state before European contact. This art is contrasted to representations of Africans in European art, used to justify slavery.
After learning about three Sons of Africa - Olaudah Equiano, Ottobah Cugoano and Ignatius Sancho - students are invited to create their own posters arguing for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
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Change Makers in Victorian Britain
Key Stage 2 History, Art, Music and Drama
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
Find out about three men and one woman of African descent whose work has significantly impacted the arts, science, technology, and innovation, and how their work continues to resonate to this day, in Britain, and around the world.
This exciting workshop includes listening to music, acting, creating artwork, and handling rare archive material.
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Windrush Journeys
Key Stage 3, 4 & 5 History
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
This workshop gives students the opportunity to learn about the lives of the Windrush generation by directly engaging with Black Cultural Archives’ unique oral history collection. They will hear from figures such as Connie Mark, Ivoran Fairweather and Sam King. As they do so, students will put their skills of extraction and inference into practice.
Considering the legacies of the Windrush generation, students will also reflect on Windrush Day and the Windrush Scandal and respond by writing their own piece of persuasive writing.
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Uprisings 1981
Key Stage 3, 4 & 5 History
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
This workshop looks at discriminatory policing of the 1970s and 1980s which led to uprisings in Brixton and around the country in 1981 and 1985. Pupils examine a variety of sources including oral histories, national and local newspapers, and the papers of the Brixton Defence Campaign to understand how reporting styles affect our responses.
Through this workshop, students will gain an understanding of how campaigning can bring about positive changes in our laws, and they will be encouraged to think proactively and collaboratively about solutions to social issues we face today.
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History of Black British Feminism
Key Stage 4 & 5 History and PSHE
90 minutes, held at Black Cultural Archives
This workshop recognises and celebrates the campaigns of Black women for equality and justice. Against the backdrop of the Black Power and Women’s Liberation Movements, the Organisation of Women of Asian and African Descent (OWAAD) was born in 1978, to give a voice to society’s marginalised.
Pupils will explore the different campaigns through listening to interviews and looking at material donated by the women themselves. The workshop activities encourage pupils to reflect on contemporary inequalities, confidently express their feelings, and think about how they can contribute to change.
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Seeing Ourselves
Key Stage 1
75 minutes, held at your school
Join us for a series of fun, interactive workshops aimed at raising career aspiration in the arts for children in Key Stage 1. The sessions will help pupils develop an understanding of why Black history is important and will introduce them to Black Cultural Archives. Our 75-minute workshops will explore different roles in the arts and heritage sector; with these roles associated with characters primary age children might better relate to/understand.
All workshops have been created to compliment the Key Stage 1 national curriculum in History, Art & Design and English Language. The ages of 5-7 are a crucial time in a child’s development, because they become aware of their appearance, their identity and similarities and differences to other children but it is also a time where they become more aware of imposed societal limitations. It is an important time to introduce them to inspirational and exciting ideas about their future, to show them that anything is possible.
Book a workshop
£150 for 90 minutes.
These workshops are delivered at Black Cultural Archives Mondays to Wednesdays. If you have any questions, please contact: learning@bcaheritage.org.uk
*This form is an expression of interest. Completion is not binding and no fee will be charged until confirmation of your workshop has been agreed in writing.
Workshop information
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Ensure you book at least 3 weeks in advance. To discuss your booking, please email learning@bcaheritage.org.uk
On receipt of an invoice from Black Cultural Archives, please ensure payment is completed before the date of your trip. There is a 50% cancellation fee if you cancel two weeks prior to the date of your visit.
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We require the following teacher-pupil ratios:
• Reception: 1 adult to 3 pupils
• Key Stage 1 & 2: 1 adult to 6 pupils
• Key Stage 3, 4 & 5 1 adult to 15 pupils
Maximum 30 pupils per session
Special Educational Needs (SEN) groups should contact the Learning Team to discuss tailored sessions and requirements.
Our risk assessment is available on request.
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Black Cultural Archives
1 Windrush Square
London SW2 1EF
Nearest underground and train station: Brixton
Nearest buses: 2, 3, 35, 37, 45, 59, 109, 118, 159, 196, 250, 322, 355, 432, 415, P4, P5.
Parking is extremely limited; it is highly advisable to travel by public transport only.