School Resources (Children and Teacher Education)

Summary

All items listed in the REAL resource bank were suggested by research participants of the ‘Exploring Race and Ethnicity on Social Science Degree Programmes’ project, or colleagues at University of Brighton, as resources they had found useful in their own teaching. They are not intended as definitive recommendations from the project team, and readers should make their own judgements as to which items would be most useful and appropriate for their needs. Similarly, the short summaries of each listed item are meant as approximate indicators rather than comprehensive synopses and should act primarily as a starting point for further exploration.

https://www.antiracism.education/

The Anti‑Racism Education website offers lessons and resources for primary and secondary schools to explore race, racism, and systemic inequality. It provides practical tools for educators to challenge bias, promote inclusion, and empower students to understand and confront racial injustice, supporting anti‑racist teaching and awareness across the curriculum.

 BBC (2025) ‘Ten Pieces Trailblazers!’ BBC Teach.

Ten Pieces Trailblazers! introduces students to orchestral music through ten pioneering composers whose works span cultures, genres, and media. The resource includes lesson plans, classroom arrangements, and films, highlighting diverse musical traditions and innovation while encouraging students to create and explore music beyond traditional Eurocentric narratives.

British Library (2025) Black Literature Timeline [Interactive resource].

The Black Literature Timeline is a visually engaging resource designed for UK secondary schools, charting key Black British writers and their works. It helps students explore literary contributions, understand historical and cultural contexts, and develop awareness of diversity in literature. Ideal for classroom use and school-based learning activities.

 Hjab & Me (2019). Directed by Kim Roden [Film]. Advocacy Academy.

The film Hijab & Me features three young Muslim women—Ambar, Ilhan, and Athena—sharing diverse perspectives on wearing the hijab and women’s roles in Islam. Produced with the Advocacy Academy for use with Key Stages 3 and 4, it explores identity, faith, and gender, earning multiple award nominations for its educational and social impact.

Holder, N. & MacGregor, H. (2022) Collins Primary Music – Listen & Celebrate: Activities to Enrich and Diversify Primary Music. Collins. ISBN: 9780008531560

Designed for primary school music educators, Nathan Holder and Helen MacGregor offer practical activities that enrich and diversify the curriculum. Encouraging exploration of global musical styles and composers, their resource fosters creativity, inclusion, and engagement while developing students’ listening, performance, and compositional skills, broadening understanding of music history and cultural diversity.

I Am Enough – Grace Byers (2020) Netflix Jr – Bookmarks, 7 mins [Video clip].

I Am Enough by Grace Byers is a motivational read-aloud emphasizing self-love, resilience, and celebrating individuality. Through poetic affirmations, it teaches children to embrace their unique qualities, practice kindness, and overcome challenges, reinforcing that everyone has inherent worth, fostering confidence, empathy, and a positive mindset from an early age.

I Love My Hair – Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (2020) Netflix Jr – Bookmarks, 7 mins [Video clip].

I Love My Hair! By Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, and read by Tiffany Haddish, celebrates Black girl beauty and the power of natural hair. Through playful storytelling and vivid illustrations, the book explores self-love, cultural pride, and creativity in hair styling, showing how embracing one’s natural hair can foster confidence, identity, and joy.

 Kindi, I.X. (2021) Antiracist Baby. Puffin. ISBN: 9780241512388.

Ibram Kendi introduces young readers to the concept of antiracism through playful text and bold illustrations, offering nine steps to build a more equitable world. Antiracist Baby provides language and discussion prompts to help children and adults recognize bias, begin critical conversations, and cultivate awareness of racial justice from an early age.

Let’s Talk About Race – Julius Lester (2020) Netflix Jr – Bookmarks, 11 mins [Video clip].

Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester, and read by Common, introduces children to race as one part of a person’s story. Through interactive reflection, it emphasizes shared humanity, encouraging young readers to look beyond skin colour, question stereotypes, and recognize individuality, fostering empathy, self-awareness, and inclusive understanding from an early age.

 Olusoga, D. (2021) Black and British: An Illustrated History. Pan Macmillan. ISBN: 9781529052954

This illustrated children’s edition traces the history of Black people in Britain, highlighting their contributions, struggles, and resilience. Combining images and narrative, David Olusoga provides a vivid, accessible account of overlooked stories, showing how Black Britons have shaped the nation while challenging myths, erasure, and racial inequality across centuries.

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race – Megan Madison (2022) Brightly Storytime – Read Aloud with the Author, 7 mins [Video clip].

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison, is a read-aloud for young children that introduces race in an accessible, supportive way. Using clear language and engaging imagery, it encourages early discussions on race, self-awareness, and fairness, providing adults with guidance and resources to foster inclusive understanding from toddlerhood.

Sulwe – Lupita Nyong’o (2020) Netflix Jr – Bookmarks, 11 mins [Video clip].

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o tells the story of a young girl who struggles with her dark skin and learns to embrace her unique beauty. Through a magical fable, the book explores self-acceptance, inner confidence, and the value of diversity, highlighting that true brightness comes from who we are, not how we look.

The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson (2020) Netflix Jr – Bookmarks, 7 mins [Video clip].

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson celebrates individuality and courage in the face of feeling different. Through poetic storytelling and vibrant illustrations, it encourages children to share their stories, embrace uniqueness, and recognise commonalities with others, fostering self-confidence, empathy, and inclusivity in classrooms and everyday life.

The Science of Skin Colour (2016) Angela Koine Flynn, Ted-Ed, 5 mins [Video clip].

This short video explains how human skin responds to ultraviolet sunlight and why it varies in hue. Using engaging animation, Angela Koine Flynn explores the biological and evolutionary factors behind skin colour diversity, showing how melanin, UV exposure, and adaptation shape the wide spectrum of human skin tones.