In this project, the children learnt about Africa today and the ancient kingdoms that thrived on the continent for thousands of years. They learnt about the origins of the transatlantic slave trade in the 15th century and Britain’s involvement from the time of Elizabeth I, when John Hawkins became the first British slave trader. The children understood the structure of the transatlantic slave trade and the consequences of enslavement for enslaved people.

They also discovered how the people of Britain benefited from the money and goods produced by the slave trade. They learnt about the causes and consequences of the abolition of slavery in the 19th century, the worldwide African diaspora and the European colonisation in Africa. They were able to explore the lives and actions of black people in 20th century Britain and understood how the Race Relations Act of 1965 became the first piece of British legislation to tackle racial discrimination and know that the Equality Act 2010 provides people with protection against racism and other forms of discrimination, today. The children were able to explore the lives of black people who have made significant contributions to Britain and will celebrate black culture in Britain today and wrote acrostic poems, biographies and a diary entry in Literacy lessons.