'The Talk' Learning Resource

A set of learning resources (including a teacher’s pack, films and flash cards) celebrating the achievements (sometimes overlooked or ignored) of 20 Black British individuals, including Michaela Coel, Lilian Bader, Professor Nira Chamberlain, and Marcus Rashford. The Talk Learning Resource (TTLR) aims to equip teachers with the starting points for wider structured discussions around race and racism, especially in the UK, and to support the vital work needed to increase learning and understanding of racial literacy.

'The Talk' Learning Resource has been created to support learning around racial literacy across all key stages, with a particular focus on Key Stages 2 – 4. We encourage teachers and practitioners to work with and use the resource materials in a way that is appropriate for your learning environment and the age of the children and young people you’re working with. TTLR is intended to stimulate discussion, education and conversation into the reality of some aspects of life lived while Black in the UK, in the hope that barriers will be removed and equality and equity of opportunity and access will increase.

'The Talk' Learning Resource contains:

Teachers Information Booklet - a downloadable, printable document with additional information and suggestions of ways to engage and use the resource materials below, as well as offering links to further study and resources

Flash cards - 20 cards containing a summary of key moments across the lives of 20 people who have made varying contributions to British society throughout history

Trivia cards - 20 cards, each with questions about the 20 people included in the flash cards

Biography profiles - 20 pages, each showing a biography of one of the 20 people's professional life and achievements

Short films - four films, created to offer an alternative learning experience that details the lives and lived experiences of Alice Dearing, Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE, Lilian Bader and Professor Sir Godfrey H.O. Palmer OBE

“This is a very high-quality resource that has been very well thought out, I can see many ways it can be used across the curriculum and enrichment work with a wide age range of children and young people. It will not only upskill teachers but give young people useful access to important information."

Danielle Lewis-Egonu, Executive Head Teacher at The Galaxy Trust

We would like to give thanks to everyone who has contributed to the development of ‘The Talk’ Learning Resource and take a moment to acknowledge the time, effort, emotional labour and resource that has gone into the creation of this work.

Resources

We invite you to download and try out this resource with your young people, both in classroom and community settings. If you have trouble downloading, or experience any barriers to accessing these resource materials, please email: thetalklearningresource@heartofglass.org.uk

“I like the research and the achievement Geoff [Professor Sir Godfrey H.O. Palmer OBE] made, and I like to see Black history videos of their achievements and education. Lilian Bader sounds very special, being the first Black female to join the army. Black history inspires me to keep learning and understand education.”

Dooyum, aged 11

TTLR Inspired Artworks

Look at these beautiful artworks created by Year 6 pupils at St Margaret’s CE Primary School, inspired by ‘The Talk’ Learning Resource (TTLR). These pieces were exhibited at the school before being shown in a local library as part of Black History Month 2023.

Share your thoughts

This is a new resource and we encourage you to download, try it out and share any feedback regarding your experiences of engaging with 'The Talk' Learning Resource within your learning environment. Feel free to share your experiences, including examples and images of work created when working with TTLR, via thetalklearningresource@heartofglass.org.uk

In 2020 Marjorie H Morgan created The Talk, a short 'public service announcement' style film giving a brief insight into the personal impact of racism in the lives of Black young men in the UK. This powerful film inspired Marjorie to create 'The Talk' Learning Resource (TTLR).

Printed copies of the 'The Talk' Learning Resource materials were printed by environmentally friendly, Liverpool based printers, The Printroom UK and distributed to partner schools in the North West.