Black History Month 2025

Black History Month at The Polygon School 2025

Every October, The Polygon School proudly celebrates Black History Month, a time to recognise and honour the history, contributions, and achievements of Black people across the world. Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK since 1987.

The theme for this year, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” highlights the remarkable impact of Black leaders, activists, and pioneers whose achievements have helped shape history. It also encourages us to look ahead to a future built on empowerment, unity, and progress.

Throughout October, our assemblies have focused on learning about heroes of service and powerful voices of activism. We discovered the stories of Ulric Cross, John Simmonds, and Arthur Roberts, whose service in the British Armed Forces made lasting contributions to the nation. We also explored the work of influential Black activists and leaders who have championed social justice and civil rights.

Miss Thomas led an inspiring assembly that combined the arts with Black History Month, exploring the vibrant traditions of the Notting Hill Carnival. In our Oracy lessons, students studied poetry by Benjamin Zephaniah and took part in expressive reading for our Oracy 21 “To Entertain” challenge, celebrating creativity and spoken word performance. In Year 7 English, students have been developing their diary writing skills by writing from the perspective of Rosa Parks. This activity encouraged empathy, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the courage and conviction that defined Parks’ role in the civil rights movement.

This month has been a time for reflection, pride, and celebration, honouring the past, empowering the present, and inspiring the future.

Celebration of our work this month in our PSHE classroom

Year 7 diary writing 

There is still time to check out our recommended reads in the library and PSHE classroom. 

KS3 performing their poetry challenge

 

Year 7 English

 Diary Entries

For their first half-term at Polygon, in English, the year 7's have learnt what a diary entry is, how to write one and explored a part of history at the same time. The Students have spent time looking at the lives of two historically significant people (Anne Frank and Rosa Parks), as well as the historical event of the Moon landing. They researched these peoples lives and then wrote diary entries from different perspectives exploring emotions, thoughts, and how time has changed. The students have had an amazing start to their secondary English journeys and should be proud of themselves. Keep up the amazing work!