What’s happening in Year 5 – Week 8

This month, as part of Black History Month, our students have been exploring the history and experiences of Black people and how their stories connect to Britain’s past. We’ve discussed how trade, exploration, and the movement of people across the world have shaped history — both in positive ways and through difficult periods such as slavery and colonisation.

This week, we focused on the Royal African Company, a key part of Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. To deepen their understanding, the children took part in a role-play activity. One student acted as King Charles II, the monarch who helped establish the company in the 1600s, while their partner became a historian or interviewer, asking thoughtful questions about his decisions and their impact.

Together, they explored questions such as:

• Why did King Charles II create the Royal African Company?
• Did he understand the harm it caused to African people?
• Did he ever regret his involvement in the slave trade?
• How did his actions affect Britain and Africa in the years that followed?

Through this activity, students developed empathy and critical-thinking skills, reflecting on how choices made by people in power long ago continue to shape lives today.

You can watch the children’s thoughtful interviews and reflections in the videos linked below — a powerful reminder of the importance of learning from the past.