This year, Pakeman staff and children embarked on the Conolly Project. Cecile Yvonne Conolly CBE was a Jamaican teacher, who became the United Kingdom’s first female black headteacher in 1969, aged just 29-years-old. She arrived in the UK in 1963, as part of the Windrush generation, and went on to have a career in education that spanned over 40 years. In 2020, Conolly was made a CBE for services to education.
Throughout October, the children began to learn much more about Yvonne Conolly as they took part in a wide range of lovely activities to celebrate Black History Month. Lessons around the school focused on celebrating Black British history, Black British heroes and local people. Some year groups looked at people in our local community for inspiration.
We had a tasty lunch to celebrate BHM thanks to our kitchen team.
We had some wonderful workshops. These workshops focused on the Windrush. KS2 enjoyed a production called ‘All Aboard the Empire Windrush’.
KS1 and EYFS enjoyed a production called ‘My Friend Flo’ – based on Floella Benjamin’s experience of travelling to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago.
We invited guest speakers to talk to the children during assemblies. One highlight was a visit from Natalie’s sister, Gabrielle Brooks. Gabrielle has starred in some West End shows.
We also began a year-long project based on the book ‘My Skin, Your Skin’ by Laura Henry-Allain MBE. 
The book is suitable for all key stages and focuses on what Racism is and how to be anti-racist. This book has led to some wonderful work across our school community.
