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Black History Month matters. Every October, schools across the UK are invited to reflect on the lives, contributions, and histories of Black Britons. But it’s not enough to mark the month with one-off activities or a themed assembly. To truly build inclusive classrooms, Black history must be visible throughout the year.
This blog shares free, high-quality resources for Black History Month, created for UK educators, alongside practical advice to help you make a lasting impact.
Why inclusive Black history resources matter
Across the UK curriculum, the experiences and achievements of Black individuals remain underrepresented. Research shows:
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69% of teachers believe the curriculum doesn’t go far enough in representing Black British history (yougov.co.uk).
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Over 300,000 Black pupils attend schools in England alone.
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Inclusive teaching boosts pupil engagement, identity, and sense of belonging.
When you use well-crafted teaching resources, you support every child to see themselves in the stories we teach. It’s also a key part of building respectful, diverse school cultures.
Why we support this work
At TeacherActive, we work alongside thousands of teachers, teaching assistants and schools every year. We know inclusive teaching isn’t just good practice, it’s essential for modern classrooms.
Through My-Progression and the TeacherActive app, we offer:
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Free CPD videos to support inclusive teaching
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Practical tips for planning lessons that reflect today’s society
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Expert-led ideas for embedding diversity across the curriculum
We believe that education can empower. That’s why we champion materials that help schools go beyond tokenism and build knowledge, empathy and connection.
Free, trusted Black History Month resources for UK teachers
Here’s a curated list of reliable, UK-specific resources that you can use straight away. Each includes lesson plans, activity ideas, or curriculum links for different key stages.
1. Black History Month UK Resource Pack
Produced by BlackHistoryMonth.org.uk, this free pack includes posters, lesson ideas and templates for assemblies.
Download here
2. NEU Black History Month Resources
The National Education Union offers a large selection of curriculum-aligned materials for EYFS to KS4.
Explore resources
3. Literacy Trust – Black History Month
Classroom-ready activities and book recommendations to help you celebrate Black voices through reading and writing.
See activities
4. Our Migration Story (Runnymede Trust)
Interactive stories and case studies exploring how migration has shaped Britain. A rich resource for history and citizenship.
Visit site
5. Facing History UK – Black British History Toolkit
A deep-dive resource to explore colonial history, resistance movements, and representation across time.
Browse toolkit
6. Mentally Healthy Schools – BHM Toolkit
Designed by mental health charities, this toolkit helps teachers lead conversations about identity, resilience, and racism.
Download here
View our full Diversity in Education playlist here.
Tips for bringing these resources to life
Use across subjects:
Black history doesn’t just belong in history lessons. Use these materials in English, art, PSHE, RE, and beyond.
Connect to local stories:
Research Black Britons in your own area. Local libraries and archives can help bring learning to life.
Highlight a range of voices:
Don’t focus only on trauma or oppression. Include stories of joy, innovation, activism, science and art.
Let pupils lead:
Encourage independent projects, debates, and presentations on Black role models or movements that matter to them.
Plan beyond October:
The best classrooms don’t stop in November. Use these same resources all year round.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Q: Are these resources suitable for all key stages?
Yes. Most providers clearly mark age-appropriate materials, and some include EYFS and SEND adaptations.
Q: Can I use US-based materials in a UK setting?
Yes, with care. It’s best to balance US resources with British history. Look for UK-based case studies or adapt materials to your context.
Q: How do I avoid tokenism?
Don’t limit learning to a single month. Integrate Black histories across topics and subjects. Be intentional and consistent.
Q: What if I don’t feel confident teaching Black history?
Start small. Use ready-made materials, watch training videos, and ask colleagues for support. Over time, confidence grows.
Teaching Black history is about more than marking a month, it’s about reflecting our diverse society in every lesson. With the right resources for Black History Month, you can create classrooms where every pupil feels seen, valued, and heard.
