Black History Month in Year 5

This October, Year 5 have been celebrating Black History Month by exploring the incredible achievements and contributions of Black Britons and inspirational figures from around the world.

We began by watching the BBC Bitesize videos about Black Britons today, learning about how Black people continue to shape and enrich our society. These stories sparked thoughtful discussions about equality, representation, and the importance of celebrating diversity every day, not just in October.

Our class focus this year has been on Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space. The children were amazed to learn about her journey — from her childhood dreams of becoming a scientist, to her time as a NASA astronaut aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.

Inspired by Mae’s determination and courage, the children wrote heartfelt letters to Mae Jemison to express what an inspiration she has been to them. In their letters, many pupils shared how Mae’s story has encouraged them to follow their dreams, work hard, and never give up — even when things feel difficult.

We plan on posting these letters to her and are hopefully for a response! Watch this space!