An opportunity to recognise the contribution of Black individuals and communities
Black History Month at LEH has been an opportunity for students to celebrate Black history, recognise the contributions of Black individuals and communities, and deepen their understanding of the people and stories that have shaped London, the UK and the wider world.
The week began with a special Black History Month assembly, during which our Sixth Form Diversity & Inclusion Ambassadors introduced TfL’s new Black History Tube map. Created through a collaboration between Black Cultural Archives and Transport for London, the map celebrates Black history in London by replacing station names with the names of Black people who have made significant contributions to London and the UK. It provided an engaging starting point for students to reflect on the individuals whose achievements have helped shape our shared history.
Our celebrations continued with a range of activities, including an inspiring talk from LEH alumna Sheyi Martins-Allen, a House Ready, Steady, Cook competition and a Thirds treasure hunt. We have also set a Half Term challenge for students in Years 7 and 8, inviting them to explore a question, person or period in Black history and consider what it tells us about the past and its relevance today.
An inspiring return: Sheyi Martins-Allen, Class of 2006
We were delighted to welcome back Sheyi Martins-Allen, a celebrated singer and musician and member of the Class of 2006, who spoke to our Lower 5 students about her journey through LEH and into her career.
Sheyi shared reflections on the experiences, values and personal qualities that helped her become the successful person she is today. Her talk encouraged students to think about the importance of developing their own perspectives, remaining true to themselves and approaching conversations with openness and confidence.
For Year 10 student Rania, the session was particularly memorable. Rania reflected on how inspiring it was to hear Sheyi speak about her time at LEH and the way her experiences had shaped her. She also highlighted Sheyi’s determination not to let being the only Black girl at LEH limit her ambitions, or allow racial stereotypes to define her.
Sheyi left students with a thought-provoking quotation from Maya Angelou:
“I’ve learnt that people will forget what you said… but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Her visit was a valuable reminder of the importance of representation, resilience and creating a culture in which everyone feels able to express their views and fulfil their potential.
House competition: Ready, Steady, Cook!
On Thursday, our Houses came together for a lively Ready, Steady, Cook competition to celebrate Black History Month through food, culture and teamwork. Working in their House teams, students competed to create the best traditional jerk chicken wrap, showcasing their creativity and culinary skills.
A special thank you goes to Shevon from our Catering Team, who kindly judged the competition and shared fascinating insights into Scotch bonnet peppers and the traditions behind authentic jerk chicken. Her contribution helped students appreciate the cultural heritage and significance of the dish, adding another dimension to the celebration.
Congratulations to Holles, our winning House, and De Vere, our runners-up. Thank you to all the staff who helped organise the event and to everyone who came along to support the teams.
Continuing the learning
Beyond the week’s events, our Half Term challenge for Years 7 and 8 encourages students to take a deeper dive into Black history. By investigating a particular question, individual or historical period and reflecting on what they discover, students can develop their historical understanding and consider how the past continues to influence the present.
Through assemblies, personal stories, cultural activities and independent research, our Black History Month celebrations have brought the school community together in a spirit of curiosity, appreciation and reflection.
A special thank you to Mrs Hanna, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and our Sixth Form Diversity & Inclusion Ambassadors for all their hard work in pulling this together.
