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National Schools Project for the Bicentenary of the Slave Trade Act
22.01.07
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI) to launch National Schools Project for the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
A new learning resource and national project for KS3 pupils to support the study of the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade is to be launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI).
The National Schools Project for Summer Term 2007 will be an inspiring and engaging opportunity for young people aged 11 – 14 (Key Stage 3) to explore many of the complex issues surrounding the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade as we commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in Britain during 2007.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI) are working in collaboration during 2007 to produce a new digital learning resource and corresponding printed pack. The resources offer schools the opportunity to embed this major element of British history into programmes of study across the curriculum and enter the resulting research for a national award.
The new resources will provide a rich bank of museum artefacts and other audiovisual source material to stimulate online research, collective study and discussion in the classroom. Developed principally for units in the KS3 Citizenship curriculum, with signposts to units in the History curriculum as well as other related subjects, this new resource will support the development of pupils’ research, critical thinking and debating skills.
The materials on the website will enable schools to produce and submit a creative piece of documentary work demonstrating their research into one of four themes: Activism, Race and Representation, Citizenship and Routes.
In December 2007 pupils from winning schools in each of the regions will be invited to showcase their work and take part in a National Young People’s Discussion to expand and debate the issues highlighted in their study.
Notes to Editors
Key date: Sunday 25th March 2007, the bicentenary of the Abolition act which was passed in 1807.
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the lead partner for the Understanding Slavery Initiative. The largest museum of its kind in the world, it is housed in impressively modernized historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and 17th-century Queen’s House. The Museum works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The Museum welcomes over 1.5 million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre for education and research. For more information visit www.nmm.ac.uk.
The Government’s role
The bicentenary marks an important opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. The Government wants to ensure that the best possible legacy is achieved by marking the bicentenary in the following ways across the country:
Reflecting on the past: raising awareness of the bicentenary; commemoration of those who suffered as a result of the slave trade; and recognition of the efforts of those who struggled for abolition, including those who were enslaved, states-people and ordinary citizens and of those who enforced the Act.
Looking to the future: poverty and inequality on the African continent and in the Caribbean; tackling inequality, discrimination and racism today, in particular for people of African and Caribbean heritage living in the UK; and tackling modern forms of slavery.
The Government wants the bicentenary to be owned by local communities as much as central Government. The Government’s approach will encourage and empower grassroots organisations, local authorities, faith groups and national organisations to arrange commemorative activities.
The Deputy Prime Minister chairs an informal advisory group of influential stakeholders to help encourage action across the cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that the bicentenary makes a national impact and is relevant to local communities across the country.
For further press queries
Sue Hutchinson: +44 (0) 20 7404 6777, sue.hutchinson@trimediahc.com
Andrea Whitfield: +44 (0) 20 7025 7500, andrea.whitfield@trimediahc.com
For more information about the National Schools Project
Understanding Slavery
understandingslavery@nmm.ac.uk
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI) to launch National Schools Project for the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
A new learning resource and national project for KS3 pupils to support the study of the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade is to be launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI).
The National Schools Project for Summer Term 2007 will be an inspiring and engaging opportunity for young people aged 11 – 14 (Key Stage 3) to explore many of the complex issues surrounding the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade as we commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in Britain during 2007.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Understanding Slavery Initiative (USI) are working in collaboration during 2007 to produce a new digital learning resource and corresponding printed pack. The resources offer schools the opportunity to embed this major element of British history into programmes of study across the curriculum and enter the resulting research for a national award.
The new resources will provide a rich bank of museum artefacts and other audiovisual source material to stimulate online research, collective study and discussion in the classroom. Developed principally for units in the KS3 Citizenship curriculum, with signposts to units in the History curriculum as well as other related subjects, this new resource will support the development of pupils’ research, critical thinking and debating skills.
The materials on the website will enable schools to produce and submit a creative piece of documentary work demonstrating their research into one of four themes: Activism, Race and Representation, Citizenship and Routes.
In December 2007 pupils from winning schools in each of the regions will be invited to showcase their work and take part in a National Young People’s Discussion to expand and debate the issues highlighted in their study.
Notes to Editors
Key date: Sunday 25th March 2007, the bicentenary of the Abolition act which was passed in 1807.
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the lead partner for the Understanding Slavery Initiative. The largest museum of its kind in the world, it is housed in impressively modernized historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and 17th-century Queen’s House. The Museum works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The Museum welcomes over 1.5 million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre for education and research. For more information visit www.nmm.ac.uk.
The Government’s role
The bicentenary marks an important opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. The Government wants to ensure that the best possible legacy is achieved by marking the bicentenary in the following ways across the country:
Reflecting on the past: raising awareness of the bicentenary; commemoration of those who suffered as a result of the slave trade; and recognition of the efforts of those who struggled for abolition, including those who were enslaved, states-people and ordinary citizens and of those who enforced the Act.
Looking to the future: poverty and inequality on the African continent and in the Caribbean; tackling inequality, discrimination and racism today, in particular for people of African and Caribbean heritage living in the UK; and tackling modern forms of slavery.
The Government wants the bicentenary to be owned by local communities as much as central Government. The Government’s approach will encourage and empower grassroots organisations, local authorities, faith groups and national organisations to arrange commemorative activities.
The Deputy Prime Minister chairs an informal advisory group of influential stakeholders to help encourage action across the cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that the bicentenary makes a national impact and is relevant to local communities across the country.
For further press queries
Sue Hutchinson: +44 (0) 20 7404 6777, sue.hutchinson@trimediahc.com
Andrea Whitfield: +44 (0) 20 7025 7500, andrea.whitfield@trimediahc.com
For more information about the National Schools Project
Understanding Slavery
understandingslavery@nmm.ac.uk