Exploring the Empire Windrush and the experiences of its passengers
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why West Indian immigrants came to the UK on the Windrush and describe some of the challenges they faced when they arrived here.
Key learning points
- Britain had a vast empire in the early 20th Century, but it was very badly affected by WWII and had labour shortages.
- In 1948, a new law clarified that all citizens of the Commonwealth had the right to settle and work in the UK.
- There was high unemployment in the Caribbean; many people hoped for better wages and living conditions in the UK.
- West Indian immigrants therefore arrived in Britain on ships including the Empire Windrush at this time.
- On arrival, they faced discrimination in jobs, services and housing.
Keywords
Colony - a country or area under the control of another country
Emigrate - when you leave your own country to settle in another
Immigrant - someone who has come to a country different to their country of origin to live permanently
Discrimination - treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly because of a certain characteristic
Racism - harmful and unfair behaviours and attitudes that people can show if they hold the belief that their own race is superior to another
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that immigration is only **to** the UK and not into other countries **from** the UK.
Part of the reason for the post-war labour shortage was that Britons emigrated in vast numbers to other Commonwealth countries.
Teacher tip
Supplement this lesson with pictures and videos of the Windrush (including original news reels of arrivals); there are many personal accounts of Windrush immigrants you can refer to as well.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put these events from British history in order.
Q2.Against which of these countries was World War II fought?
Q3.Who was the British Prime Minister during most of World War II?
Q4.What name was given to the large area of the world once ruled over by Great Britain?
Q5.Which ocean separates Europe from North and South America?
Q6.Who is a diary usually written for?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Approximately what proportion of the Earth's people were ruled by the British Empire at its height?
Q2.Which is the best definition of a 'colony'?
Q3.What problems did the UK face after the Second World War ended?
Q4.Which of the reasons below caused people to emigrate from the Caribbean to the UK on the Empire Windrush?
Q5.Where did many of the Windrush immigrants have to stay initially?
Q6.What problems did the Windrush immigrants face in Britain?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring the Empire Windrush and the experiences of its passengers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring the Empire Windrush and the experiences of its passengers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the The Empire Windrush: diary writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.