I am posting the following resources on behalf of Stephanie Bowgett. Stephanie is a retired teacher who worked for two years as a consultant for the Black Children’s Achievement Programme funded by the DFS. They produced loads of teaching materials to supplement the curriculum, all at public expense which were free on the National Strategies website, all lost or archived as soon as there was a government change. Most of us will remember this trauma. The following resources were developed to encourage group discussion, questioning and looking at probabilities. They include strategies from the sister EAL programme designed to develop academic language and draw heavily on Philosophy for Children. All tried in classrooms in Kirklees. They include Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Muhammad Ali, Walter Tull, Pablo Fanque, Mae Jemison, Anansi in Africa and Jamaica, a wall display of Black inventors and audits of the environment and curriculum to identify Black representation. There are several PowerPoint assemblies, including Muhammad Ali, Walter Tull, Ruby Bridges, Sarah Breedlove Walker, Willard Wigan, Chinwe Chukwuogo Roy. Useful sets of photos if nothing else. Stephanie has shared them so if anyone can use them they are welcome, they were paid for by the tax payer!

I am posting these on behalf of Stephanie Bowgett. Stephanie is a retired teacher who worked for two years as a consultant for the Black Children’s Achievement Programme funded by the DFS. They produced loads of teaching materials to supplement the curriculum, all at public expense which were free on the National Strategies website, all lost or archived as soon as there was a government change. Most of us will remember this trauma. The following resources are part of a collection that were developed to encourage group discussion, questioning and looking at probabilities. They include strategies from the sister EAL programme designed to develop academic language and draw heavily on Philosophy for Children. All tried in classrooms in Kirklees. The following resources and other resources in the collection (see my shop) include Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Muhammad Ali, Walter Tull, Pablo Fanque, Mae Jemison, Anansi in Africa and Jamaica, a wall display of Black inventors and audits of the environment and curriculum to identify Black representation. There are several PowerPoint assemblies, including Muhammad Ali, Walter Tull, Ruby Bridges, Sarah Breedlove Walker, Willard Wigan, Chinwe Chukwuogo Roy. Useful sets of photos if nothing else. Stephanie has shared them so if anyone can use them they are welcome, they were paid for by the tax payer!

A sequence of lessons for an intervention group of KS2 children working at P10 (year 1). Letter writing planning complete with resources (or links to useful resources). Let me know if you find this useful.

Two lesson presentations introducing the protected characteristics to your UKS2/LKS3 classroom. There are resources included for both lessons that you can adapt to suit your class. One of them is a child friendly version of the equality Act that I downloaded from here https://crae.org.uk/. I followed them up with the sequence of lessons challenging gender stereotypes. Please let me know how you got on with the resources.

I made this resource based on literature works for whole class guided reading in my year 2 class. We have a reading journal where the children record their thoughts and ideas. Enjoy :)

Welcome to the Festival of Thought! As the PSHE lead in our school, I’ve always been deeply intrigued by the inner workings of the human mind and the profound impact that introspection and contemplation can have on individuals of all ages. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to creating spaces where people can explore the bigger questions about life and the world around them without fear of judgment or repercussion. Many years ago, I introduced the concept of the ‘Festival of Thought’ within our school—a dynamic and interactive space divided into different areas to cater to various aspects of thinking. Here, both children and adults alike are invited to reflect, let go, question, and engage with the deeper issues that often go unaddressed in our daily lives. The Festival of Thought revolves around three main themes: Thinking About Ourselves: This area encourages self-reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to explore their personal values, beliefs, and emotions in a nurturing environment. Thinking About Our Communities: In this section, we delve into topics related to our immediate surroundings and the communities we belong to, fostering a sense of connection and responsibility towards one another. Thinking About the Wider World: Here, we broaden our perspective and consider global issues that impact us all, from environmental sustainability to social justice and beyond. The success of the Festival of Thought has been truly remarkable. The insights and reflections shared by participants—whether they be pupils, staff members, or governors—have provided invaluable guidance for our school’s PSHE planning, ensuring that our curriculum remains relevant, responsive, and impactful. We have since recreated the Festival of Thought on multiple occasions, finding it to be an invaluable tool, particularly during challenging times such as the pandemic. Our pupils and staff members alike have found solace and catharsis in expressing their thoughts and feelings, especially after our return to school once Covid restrictions were lifted. To give you a glimpse into the magic of the Festival of Thought, I’ve shared a video documenting our first and most recent iterations. These videos capture the essence of our journey—from humble beginnings as an experimental concept to a powerful tool for fostering meaningful conversations and connections. While you can find some resources for creating your own Festival of Thought on here, I highly encourage you to tailor the experience to suit your school’s unique needs and the individual needs of your pupils. Feel free to reach out to me if you’re interested in further support or professional development in this area. Join us at the Festival of Thought as we embark on a journey of exploration, discovery, and growth. Together, let’s ignite the spark of curiosity and inspire conversations that have the power to shape our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the world we inhabit. Enjoy!