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      Racism and policing in 1950s Notting Hill

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the reasons for increasing tension between the police and the black community, including the role of anti-immigration groups.

      Key learning points

      1. By 1952, the Metropolitan Police was made up of predominantly white men, despite some black people trying to join.
      2. Tensions between the black community and the police increased in the 1950s.
      3. The increasing activism of anti-immigrant groups exacerbated tension between the police and the black community.

      Keywords

      • Institutional racism - discrimination or unequal treatment on the basis of race, which come from systems, structures or expectations within an institution or organisation

      Common misconception

      Students might believe that fascism was only a factor in Nazi Germany, and be unaware of the existence of fascist groups in Britain.

      Fascism spread across Europe in the 1930s, including to Britain, although Britain's strong democratic tradition meant it did not take hold as it did in other countries at the time.

      Teacher tip

      Ensure students understand the terms right-wing and left-wing by drawing and labelling a political spectrum.

      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

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which word describes a music and dance party organised by Caribbean residents of Notting Hill in response to a lack of migrant-friendly leisure entertainment, often held in migrant-owned venues?

      Correct Answer: shebeen, Shebeen

      Q2.
      Which word describes a style of music originating in Jamaica in the 1950s, making use of horns and trumpets alongside other instruments?

      Correct Answer: ska, Ska

      Q3.
      Which of the following were developed as centres for migrant culture in Notting Hill in the 1960s?

      Lancaster Road
      Correct answer: All Saints Road
      Correct answer: Portobello Road Market
      Notting Hill Farmers' Market

      Q4.
      The traditions of which of these countries were brought to Notting Hill by the Windrush generation?

      Haiti
      Correct answer: Trinidad
      Cuba
      Correct answer: Jamaica
      Correct answer: Tobago

      Q5.
      Complete the sentence: Mutual self-help organisations such as ' ' schemes allowed Caribbean migrants to access credit.

      Correct Answer: pardner, Pardner, 'pardner', 'Pardner'

      Q6.
      Why were many of the clubs and cafes in Notting Hill closed and then reopened under a different name in the 1960s?

      Correct answer: They were closed down for trading without a licence
      The owners decided they did not like the anymore
      Correct answer: They were closed down due to the police finding drugs on the premises
      The owners changed the names often as this was common for Caribbean businesses

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which keyword describes discrimination or unequal treatment on the basis of race, which come from systems, structures or expectations within an institution or organisation?

      Correct Answer: institutional racism

      Q2.
      Complete the sentence: By 1952, the Metropolitan (Met) Police was made up of predominantly...

      white women
      black men
      black women
      Correct answer: white men

      Q3.
      Which aspects of Caribbean culture did the police regard as a threat to ‘Britishness’?

      art, architecture and ceremonies
      Correct answer: food, music and clothing
      literature, theatre and poetry

      Q4.
      What did the West Indian Federation (WIF) suggest to do to improve the relationship between Caribbean migrants and the Met?

      pass rules to stop racial discrimination in the Met
      encourage more black people to apply to the Met
      Correct answer: teach Met police officers about Caribbean culture

      Q5.
      Match the anti-immigration group to the correct description.

      Correct Answer:Teddy Boys,Gangs of white working-class young men who attacked black people

      Gangs of white working-class young men who attacked black people

      Correct Answer:The White Defence League (WDL),A neo-Nazi group who tried to drive out black migrants

      A neo-Nazi group who tried to drive out black migrants

      Correct Answer:The Union Movement,A fascist group who made violent speeches against immigrants

      A fascist group who made violent speeches against immigrants

      Q6.
      Where did the name 'Teddy Boys' come from?

      Members carried teddy bears in their pockets
      Correct answer: Members wore Edwardian jackets
      All members told the police that their name was Edward to avoid arrest

      To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Racism and policing in 1950s Notting Hill, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...