Black activism in the Notting Hill area
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for rising tension in Notting Hill and describe the actions of black activists in the area as a response.
Key learning points
- The Notting Hill riots and the murder of Kelso Cochrane increased tension in the Notting Hill area.
- Claudia Jones was one of several activists who looked to rebuild a positive sense of community in the area.
- The Caribbean carnival was a huge success, and would go onto become Notting Hill Carnival.
- The British Black Panther Party (BBP) was set up to campaign against continued racism and discrimination in the 1960s.
Keywords
Interracial - involving people of different races
Black activism - advocating for power from the perspectives of those from the black community
Civil rights - a person’s right to political and social freedom and equality
Black Power Movement - a militant ideology that emerged in the USA in the late 1960s
Black Panthers - a political organisation created in the USA that challenged police brutality; a British group was founded in 1968
Common misconception
Students may not make the connection between the civil rights movement in the USA and the efforts of black activists in the UK in the 1960s.
Explain to students that the influence of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X spread outside of America.
Teacher tip
Teachers could discuss how the British Black Panther Party was established in London in the summer of 1968, only a few months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What percentage of Metropolitan (Met) Police officers were white in 1952?
Q2.Which of the following are examples of the racism displayed by the Met towards Caribbean migrants in the 1950s and 60s?
Q3.Complete the sentence: Today, the term ‘ ’ would be used to describe the actions of the 1950s Met Police, however, this term was not commonly accepted until the early 2000s.
Q4.How did the black community feel towards the police during the 1950s and 60s?
Q5.Why were there multiple anti-immigration groups in Britain at the time?
Q6.Match the anti-immigration group to the correct statements.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes advocating for power from the perspectives of those from the black community?
Q2.Which keyword describes a person’s right to political and social freedom and equality?
Q3.Complete the sentence: The Notting Hill riots and the murder of __________ increased tension in the Notting Hill area.
Q4.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q5.Why did the black community object to the use of the term ‘riots’ to describe what happened in Notting Hill in 1958?
Q6.What did Claudia Jones set up in 1958 which gave a voice to the black community in London?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Black activism in the Notting Hill area, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Black activism in the Notting Hill area, 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 4 history lessons from the Notting Hill, c1948–c1970 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.