Resource created by Leeds Museums and Galleries | The Discovery Centre.
Like many other major UK cities, Leeds has been built on migration. Leeds is one of the most diverse places outside London and migration has shaped the city we see today. Migrants bring many things with them, not just belongings. They bring skills and traditions, values and beliefs. All of these help people make a home here.
Curriculum Links:
- KS2 Citizenship: Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people
- KS2 History: A study over time tracing how several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality (migration).
- KS2 PSHE: Learning opportunities in Living in the Wider World
Discussion and Activity Ideas:
- Migrants come from many different countries and for many different reasons. Can you give some examples from either today or the past?
- Consider the pros and cons of migrating to a new country.
- What belongings would you take with you if you had to migrate to a new country, and why?
- Compare and contrast different media representations (online or in print) of economic migrants, asylum seekers or refugees. (You could choose a tabloid and a broadsheet newspaper or website)
- Under UK Law, asylum seekers are not allowed to work. Do you think this should be the case? Consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Videos
There are also several resources (see 'Supporting Links') that provide opportunities to explore these themes in more detail with your students, including the following videos:
- Leeds Migration Stories
Interviews with four migrants who now live in Leeds: Deirdre, Ousmane, Eileen and Zainab. Produced by Opal Video - Gold
The Harehills area of Leeds has many shops that sell pure gold jewellery. Mr Ashok Mason, a Goldsmith and Jewellers, was filmed in his shop in 2014. He talks about his family business and the importance of gold jewellery to South Asian communities. Produced by Digifish.tv