New
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Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 6

The history of racism in Britain

I can describe different groups who have immigrated to Britain and explain why racist myths about immigration are wrong.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 6

The history of racism in Britain

I can describe different groups who have immigrated to Britain and explain why racist myths about immigration are wrong.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Racism has existed in Britain for centuries.
  2. Racist myths have links to Britain's involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its empire.
  3. Unfortunately, racism still continues in modern Britain.
  4. Immigrants have been part of Britain for thousands of years.
  5. Racism and discrimination should always be reported to a trusted adult.

Keywords

  • Ethnicity - the group you belong to with shared culture, language, history and traditions

  • Racism - being unkind because of the colour of someone's skin or their ethnicity

  • Immigrant - someone who has moved to another country, usually to live there permanently

Common misconception

Immigrants have only arrived in Britain in recent years.

There have been many immigrant groups throughout British history, not just recently.


To help you plan your year 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: The history of racism in Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Refer to history lessons, where you may have learned about waves of immigration to Britain. Examples of immigrant groups throughout history include: the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings, the Normans, the Huguenots, Irish people, Jewish people, Roma and Sinti people and the Windrush generation.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • 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 (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with their definition.

Correct Answer:British,someone from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

someone from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

Correct Answer:prejudice,to think badly of someone because of how they look or who they are

to think badly of someone because of how they look or who they are

Correct Answer:hatred,a strong dislike for somebody

a strong dislike for somebody

Q2.
What does it mean if something is fundamental?

Correct answer: something very important and basic, like the foundation of something
something not very important and basic, like the foundation of something
something very important and basic, not like the foundation of something

Q3.
Match the start of each sentence with the correct ending.

Correct Answer:The Equality Act ...,protects people who are vulnerable.

protects people who are vulnerable.

Correct Answer:Prejudice was different in the past ...,but it still exists.

but it still exists.

Correct Answer:We can choose what we want ...,Britain to be like in the future.

Britain to be like in the future.

Q4.
There are Fundamental British Values.

Correct Answer: 4, four

Q5.
The idea that all boys must like football is an example of a ...

Correct answer: stereotype
fact
piece of information
beauty standard

Q6.
Which of the four British values is missing? Individual liberty, democracy, mutual respect and tolerance, and ...

The Rule of Reason
Correct answer: The Rule of Law
The Rule of Fairness

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with the correct definition.

Correct Answer:ethnicity,the group you belong to with shared culture, language and history

the group you belong to with shared culture, language and history

Correct Answer:racism,being unkind because of someone's skin colour or their ethnicity

being unkind because of someone's skin colour or their ethnicity

Correct Answer:immigrant,someone who has moved to another country

someone who has moved to another country

Q2.
Racist myths have links to Britain's involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its ...

Correct Answer: empire

Q3.
Which statements are true?

Correct answer: Racist ideas were invented a long time ago but some people still believe them.
No one believes racist ideas anymore.
Immigrants have only arrived in Britain in recent years.
Correct answer: Immigrants have been part of Britain for thousands of years.

Q4.
Who should racism and discrimination always be reported to?

Correct answer: a trusted adult
a younger sibling
the person who has been racist
Correct answer: the police

Q5.
Match the start of each sentence with its correct ending.

Correct Answer:People from all over the world ...,have immigrated to Britain.

have immigrated to Britain.

Correct Answer:Discrimination and racism are ...,never ok and everyone deserves to feel safe.

never ok and everyone deserves to feel safe.

Correct Answer:Many people immigrate because ...,of family and/or work.

of family and/or work.

Q6.
Put the events in chronological order (the order of which events happened, starting with the earliest event and finishing with the most recent event).

1 - Romans came to take control of Britain.
2 - Anglo-Saxons came to start new lives.
3 - Huguenots came to escape danger.
4 - Windrush generation came for new opportunities.