Black history

NEU joins board of the Hamilton Commission

Royal Institution’s online Christmas lecture series

Tara Shine, Chris Jackson and Helen Czerski will present Planet Earth: A user’s guide. Visit rigb.org/whats-on

THE NEU has proudly joined Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton’s project to help break down barriers for Black people in motorsport.

The six-time F1 world champion and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) established the Hamilton Commission to identify the key barriers to the recruitment and progression of Black people in UK motorsport.

Lewis is the only Black F1 driver and has long been outspoken on the sport’s lack of diversity. He explained: “Despite my success in the sport, the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist.

“It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new Black hire, as a meaningful example of progress. Thousands of people are employed across this industry and that group needs to be more representative of society.”

Understanding the challenges for schools

The Hamilton Commission will be co-chaired by Lewis and RAE chief executive Dr Hayaatun Sillem, supported by a board of commissioners – experts representing motorsport, engineering and education.

The NEU’s lead equality officer Karen Chouhan is one of the 14 commissioners. She told Educate: “I am so proud to be supporting Lewis in this. He reminds us that instead of being bystanders we should be upstanders.

“The NEU’s role will be to help the commission understand the challenges for schools in ensuring race equality in access, experience and outcomes, particularly in STEM subjects. Inclusive education must mean so much more than the bland refrain of ‘we embrace diversity’.”

Kevin Courtney, NEU joint general secretary, said: “No young person should have their life choices limited as a result of racism. The NEU has a proud history of campaigning for racial equality and we look forward to working with the commission to bring about change that is urgently needed in society.”

Lewis Hamilton takes the knee ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix in support of the Black Lives Matter movement PHOTO by Steve Etherington and Mercedes-AMG Petronas

The importance of Black history all year round

THE NEU is working to support members in incorporating Black history and national and global stories of Black culture and achievement into the curriculum – throughout the year, every year and for every age group.

The union commissioned a Black History Month teaching pack (left) for key stage 3-4 and a series of ten podcasts (page 15) to bring Black voices, activism, history and culture into the classroom and beyond.

The teaching pack – which can also be adapted for other age groups – provides lesson plans and resources designed for focussed learning around Black history, culture and activism, as well as a section on arts and culture. Visit neu.org.uk/black-history-month

Virtual Black educators’ conference

This November, the first ever online Black educators’ conference, celebrating Black educational staff in Europe, will be held from Thursday to Saturday, 19-21 November (Thursday and Friday sessions are 5-7.30pm).

This is a policy-making conference, deciding the union’s priorities, plus workshops and keynote speakers. Visit neu.org.uk/BEC2020