With Black History Month 2026 having just drawn to a close, we wanted to share some of the amazing ways the Belham community came together to support it. This year’s theme - “Honouring Our Communities” - marked a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. Hoping to honour history, celebrate culture and reflect on the ongoing journey toward equality and representation, children and staff at the Belham hosted a wide range of celebrations.
Here at the Belham, we are proud of our wonderfully diverse community. Our pupils come from a rich variety of backgrounds, each bringing their own stories, traditions, and perspectives that make our school such a vibrant and inclusive place to learn. Black History Month gives us a special opportunity to recognise and celebrate this diversity, as well as deepening our understanding of the people and movements that have shaped (and continue to shape) our lives.
With Black History Month officially beginning on Thursday 1st October, we kicked things off in true Belham style! That morning, children were welcomed through the school gates by the joyful rhythms of steel pan music, performed live by members of True Steel Band, as well as two performers wearing carnival headdresses and costumes.
The next day, children were treated to a special assembly with the pianist & composer, Beatrice Nicholas. Here she took the children on an interactive journey through time - exploring how Negro Spirituals influenced music today and some of the musicians that have been integral to its success. The energy, music and sense of celebration set a perfect tone for what came next.
In the afternoon, the celebrations continued with an incredible performance of Journey - The Black British Puppet Show by the Little Crow Theatre. Immersing children through some very skilled puppetry, the show covered everything from Roman times to the Windrush generation, highlighting the importance of events like Notting Hill carnival and some of our most treasured black icons.
If you thought that was enough, our amazing Friends of Belham (FOB) had another idea! Their annual Bring and Share event bought families from across the school community together to share delicious home-cooked dishes from around the world — all completely free of charge. They then hosted the infamous Friends of Belham Black History Month Open Air Cinema on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October. What better way to bring our community together than with screenings of Princess & The Frog, Hidden Figures, Cool Runnings, Little Mermaid (Live Action), and Black Panther.
Throughout the rest of October, each year group also celebrated Black history in the classroom. Although not exhaustive, here’s some of the learning each year group undertook:
Reception - Ankara fabrics in Art
Year 1 - Reggie Laurent in Art
Year 2 - Black Britons in transport within History
Year 3 - Yinka Shonibare in Art
Year 4 - Faith Ringgold’s book Tar Beach in English
Year 5 - Pete Letanka BHM themed jazz workshop
Year 6 - Civil Rights Activists in History
