The Windrush Generation

#TheCompleteSeries5lessons

Each of the five lessons in this scheme focuses on a different aspect of the Windrush generation and how this key event in British history changed communities, food, music and even laws around the country.

This download provides you with everything you need to teach a fun and engaging part of British Black History. Detailed lesson plans offer ideas for differentiated activities to accompany the PDF lesson slides and printable resources for each lesson.

#Lesson1WindrushHistory

In this first lesson, children will find out about the now historic journey the HMT Empire Windrush made in 1948, who its passengers were, and why they decided to buy a ticket for that journey.

Your class are then challenged to use what they have learnt to create a persuasive advert encouraging people to migrate to Britain in 1948.

This lesson includes everything you need: a detailed plan, an informative slideshow for the teaching input, as well as activity ideas and differentiated resources.

#Lesson2ThePeopleofWindrush

In this lesson, children will find out more about the individuals that travelled on the HMT Empire Windrush and how they might have felt leaving their home country.

Your class will look at landing cards, based on real passengers of the HMT Empire Windrush, including the Windrush campaigner Sam Beaver King. Children will answer interview questions in role as one of the Windrush passengers.

This lesson comes with everything you need, including PDF lesson plan, slides and differentiated resources.

#Lesson3WindrushGenerationToday

This lesson looks at the Windrush generation and where they are today. The included lesson slides discuss the Windrush scandal of 2012-2018 and how this affected the Commonwealth migrants that were involved.

The class are then challenged to research and present information on a famous person that is/was part of the Windrush generation or has a close connection to someone who was.

This lesson comes fully resourced with a lesson plan, differentiated activities, PDF lesson slides and printable resources.

#Lesson4Impact

Challenge your class to use their learning about Windrush and the people involved to discuss the impacts that this key event in British history had on our culture. What might it have been like if Windrush never happened?

Define the word expectations with your class and discuss what people may have expected from the new Commonwealth migrants. What might they have been excited about? What may they have been worried about?

Download everything you need to teach this lesson, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and any printable resources to support the children in their independent activity.

#Lesson5WindrushCelebrations

In this final lesson your class will look at the different ways that the Windrush generation is celebrated in Britain. From Windrush Day in June to Notting Hill Carnival, the children can discuss and describe the different ways they think we can celebrate this important part of British history and culture.

Your class are challenged to plan out a Windrush Day event for your class or school, thinking carefully about how and why they are observing the day. They will need to write a letter to your headteacher to convince them to put on the event, laying out the reasons why the Windrush Day should be celebrated.

This lesson download comes with everything you need, including PDF lesson plan, slides and printable resources.

Free Overview (Medium-Term Plan)

Download a free overview to support your teaching of this scheme of work.

Free Assessment Grid

Download a free, editable assessment grid to support your teaching of this scheme of work.

Curriculum Objectives covered

• a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066