Migration to modern Britain
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for migration to Britain and the experiences and impact of migrants in the modern period.
Key learning points
- Most migrants settled in Britain because of changes in laws, the growth of the Commonwealth or for economic reasons.
- Patterns of migration changed throughout the period as a result of new laws and changing attitudes.
- While race became an increasingly defining factor in migrant experiences, all migrants experienced some hostility.
- Migrants had a significant impact on the economy, but growing migrant communities also impacted politics.
Keywords
Commonwealth - an international community made up of Britain and many former colonies
Race riots - riots that break out between groups that identify as different races (e.g. black and white people)
Common misconception
All white migrants had positive experiences in the modern period.
Although they were often favoured by immigration laws, they still faced hostility on arriving in Britain. For example, many Irish migrants experienced the same discrimination from landlords as Caribbean migrants.
Teacher tip
When explaining the reasons for migration in the modern period, make sure to emphasise that the reasons often work together to explain why migrants settled in Britain in this period.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes a system where people who are not considered white are denied access to the same services as white people?
Q2.Complete the sentence: The British Civil Rights movement is often said to have started in Bristol, with the Bristol Bus...
Q3.Where did many Caribbean migrants who were part of the Windrush Generation settle?
Q4.Who were many Ugandan and Kenyan Asians descended from?
Q5.Why did Belgrave Road in Leicester become known as the ‘Golden Mile’ in the late 1970s?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an international community made up of Britain and many former colonies?
Q2.Which word describes riots that break out between groups that identify as different races (e.g. black and white people)?
Q3.Complete the sentence:Patterns of migration throughout the modern period as a result of new laws and changing attitudes.
Q4.Match the evidence to whether it was an expectation of Caribbean migrants or their reality upon arrival in Britain.
well-paid jobs, good quality accommodation, warm reception
low-paid jobs, poor quality accommodation, racism and hostility
Q5.Which of the following areas of British life have been impacted by migrants in the modern period?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Migration to modern Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Migration to modern Britain, 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 Migrants in Britain, c800–present unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.