Resource created by: Geraldine Connor Foundation.

This resource explores the story of Carribean immigration to Britian following WW2.  It covers the difficulties they encountered and the rich contribution the 'Windrush Generation' has made to the U.K.

 

Curriculum Links

• KS3 History: Social, cultural and technological change in post-war British society
• KS3 History: The study of an aspect of theme in British history: A study of an aspect of social history, such as the impact through time of the migration of people to, from and within the British Isles. 
• KS3 PSHE: The similarities, differences and diversity among people of different race, culture, ability, disability, sex, gender identity, age and sexual orientation and the impact of stereotyping, prejudice, bigotry, bullying, and discrimination on individuals and communities
• KS4 History: Britain: Migration
• KS4 Citizenship:  Diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding
• KS4 PSHE:  About the unacceptability of all forms of discrimination, and how to challenge it, prejudice and bigotry in the wider community including the workplace

 

Discussion Ideas

 

Poetry

 Create a, written, visual, movement response, discuss what is being said;

• What is the poem /story about?
• Who is the narrator?
• How do you get a sense of Caribbean and British culture?
• Where is the location of the poem/story set?
• What is the emotion and the mood conveyed?

Videos

Watch the short videos that make up part of this learning story and use them as jumping off points for discussion.

• What kind of experiences have the people in the videos had living in Britain?
• How is that similar or different from your experiences?
• How have the Windrush generation and their descendents contributed to a diverse Britain?
• Are there any similarities or differences between how the Windrush generation were treated when they came to Britain, and how immigrants are treated now?

 

Activity Ideas

Create theatre that retells the story of Windrush through a collaboration of ideas. 

• Windrush: Using the poems/narratives/ Chapeltown newspapers select an extract from any article, interviews, funeral programs or photos, to tell the story

1. Think about the story and the character(s) you want to build on (and why)
2. Think about what you want your audience to hear and see as you develop the movement  and vocal aspect 
3. Think about the sounds around you (make use of music, songs and poetry therefore select a track or song and recreate and idea to make it your own)

 

• Create a 2 to 5min performance using Chapeltown newspapers from 1970’s - repeat process using historical narrative/social commentary, music and songs. 

1. Participants have 5min to read and select an extractSpend 10min exploring the idea
2. Spend 15mins devising the idea
3. Spend 5mins for each group to show (the devising process can be repeated)

 

Letter Writing: Write a letter to a loved one, family member or friend in another country

1. Think about where you are and how long it’s been since you last saw them.
2. What is the most important thing you would like to tell them.
3. Your letter should arouse a sense of time and place, culture and activities.
4. Perform an aspect of your letter as movement and voice to create theatre.
    

Food and Drink:  Watch the short film about the importance of food in Carribean culture.

• Download the recipe for sorrel and black cake and have a go at making them.
  • Where do most of the ingredients to make the cake come from?
  • What does the cake smell like as it is being made?  How about once it is cooked?  What does the smell remind you of and why?
  • Are there any foods or drinks that are particularly important to your culture?
  • What roles do food and drink play in different cultures, and what is their role in promoting cultural diversity (think about what your town or city would be like without any foreign food restaurants).