What pupils have been learning during a year of a more diverse curriculum in Manchester schools

A scheme to make the curriculum in Manchester schools more diverse is marking its first anniversary.

Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Gorton in the House of Commons, launched his Diverse Curriculum Charter a year ago.

One in three schools in his constituency have adopted the charter and started making changes to pupils’ learning.

And the first year passing since the charter’s implementation has prompted calls for further adoption of it and more reform of what is taught in classrooms.

What is the Diverse Curriculum Charter?

Written in collaboration with The Black Curriculum, the Diverse Curriculum Charter was presented to primary schools, secondary schools, and sixth forms across Manchester Gorton.

Signing up to it would mean the schools delivering a more diverse learning experience for pupils with emphasis on anti-racism.

A third of schools in Manchester Gorton have signed up to the Charter and in the new year, it will be rolled out across Manchester for all schools to sign.

In the year since its launch, the charter has received endorsement from organisations including Manchester City Council, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Museum and the Runnymede Trust, as well as several trades unions.

The Black Curriculum is a social enterprise founded in 2019 by young people to address the lack of Black British history being taught in the classroom.

It offers teacher training, help adopting Black history into the curriculum, workshops on topics including politics and the legal system, land and the environment, art history and migration and assemblies aimed at improving social cohesion.

How is the anniversary being marked?

Mr Khan has marked a year since the charter’s launch by calling on the Government to meaningfully engage in national curriculum reform to give every child the chance to learn about the diverse histories and contributions that have shaped modern Britain.

He said minister should consider following the Welsh Government’s example, where a newly reformed curriculum is being introduced in 2022.

These reforms include making all learning areas reflect the diverse experiences and contributions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and individuals to past and present Wales, as well as mandatory anti-racism and diversity training for all trainee and acting teachers.

Mr Khan said: “I am extremely proud of the positive reception the Diverse Curriculum Charter has had in its first year.

Schools across Manchester Gorton already engaged in fantastic work to bring diversity and anti-racism into their lessons, but this initiative has encouraged an even greater scrutiny of the curriculum and brought about a renewed commitment to positive change.

“At a time when calls for greater diversity in education have never been louder, the Government continues to cover its ears.

“It is time they followed the fantastic example being set in by the Labour Government in Wales and implement national curriculum reform.

“Until this happens, here in Manchester we will continue to do things differently to ensure our young people benefit from a diverse education that is truly reflective of modern British society.”

What happens when a school adopts the charter?

William Hulme’s Grammar School (WHGS) said the way it marked Black History Month this year was influenced by its signing of the charter.

There was a student-led assembly on Black history and heritage and the learning resource centre had displays celebrating Black authors.

In history subjects including the Ghanaian empire and the Mangrove Nine (whose story was the subject of a film by Steve McQueen) have been put on the curriculum.

In geography pupils have been taught about Haiti and its revolution which liberated the island from slavery, while the faith of Black religious leaders has been studied in RE and the modern languages department has looked at Afro-German poet May Ayim.

The achievements of diverse mathematicians and scientists are also prominently displayed and celebrated for pupils.

Peter Mulholland, Principal at WHGS, said: “At WHGS, we adopted the Diverse Curriculum Charter as it chimed perfectly with our ambition to provide a curriculum that celebrates all groups and is a true reflection of our school community.

“We want all our children to feel included and valued as individuals with their own unique story and heritage.”

What else has been said about the charter?

Coun Garry Bridges, executive member for children and schools at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester has always been proud to be at the forefront of the fight for equality, but we cannot afford to be complacent. That fight for equality is as important as ever.

“The education that children get at school shapes the way they see the world and their place in it.

“I’m pleased to support the Diverse Curriculum Charter as a necessary step to making sure that diverse backgrounds are represented properly and that our education engages with diverse experiences in our curriculum.

“Schools in our city have been leading the way on this agenda and I think they will find this Charter a useful aid when looking at their own resources and teaching.”