October is Black History Month, and Kimbolton Senior School is celebrating with a packed calendar of activities, debates, and creative projects exploring this year’s national theme — Standing Firm in Power and Pride.
The theme celebrates the resilience, identity, and achievements of Black and Global Majority communities, and invites our pupils to reflect on what it means to stand tall, take pride in heritage, and make a difference in the world around them.
Inspiring conversations
Our celebrations began with a powerful assembly from inclusion consultant and author Linbert Spencer OBE, who spoke to pupils about the importance of belonging, leadership, and celebrating difference. Linbert also led workshops and staff training sessions, helping us all think about what inclusion looks like in practice.
Throughout October, pupils are encouraged to explore the question “Who inspires you?” during tutor time. This whole-school activity invites students to research and share the stories of Black and Global Majority figures — from historical leaders to modern artists, activists, and scientists — and to present their findings creatively through posters, mini-presentations, or digital projects.
Clubs, culture, and creativity
Many of our lunchtime and after-school clubs are joining in the celebration with themed sessions. Highlights include:
- Christian Union – The Struggles of Black Peoples in Christian Churches
- Creative Writing Club – Patchwork Poetry: Quotes from Inspirational Black Figures
- Classics Club – Septimius Severus: The First African Roman Emperor
- Film Club – Kirikou and the Sorceress, with croissants and hot chocolate!
- KimUnity – Unseen Heroes Workshop
- Enlightenment Club – Reflections on Global Majority Perspectives
- Feminist Society – Historical Perspectives on Black Heroines
The library display is also showcasing a selection of books by Black and Global Majority writers, offering pupils a chance to discover new voices and perspectives.
Competitions and challenges
Students are invited to take part in several creative competitions designed to celebrate culture, identity, and imagination:
- Heritage on a Plate – create a dish inspired by a culture of your choice
- English, History & Art Competition – reimagine the life or voice of a Black historical figure through writing or art
- Cultural Competition – respond creatively to prompts such as “What Heritage Means to Me” or “If I Could Speak to an Ancestor”
Learning through the curriculum
Black History Month is also being explored through lessons across the school. Pupils in History, Geography, and English are examining global development, protest movements, and the contributions of Black and Global Majority figures throughout history. Older pupils are studying literary and non-fiction works that bring diverse voices to the fore, while Sixth Form linguists are learning how Black History Month is celebrated in other countries.
Standing firm in power and pride
Whether through a poem, debate, recipe, or classroom discussion, Kimbolton pupils are using this month to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and imagine a more inclusive future.
Black History Month reminds us all that inspiration is everywhere — in the courage of those who came before us, and in the voices of the young people shaping what comes next.
