Primary schools looking for engaging ways to mark Black History Month this October can use a set of free resources from Premier League Primary Stars, the Premier League’s national education programme. The lessons use professional footballers to help pupils explore racism, stereotyping and what it means to be an ally.
All the resources are free, flexible and linked to the curriculum, so busy teachers can slot them into lessons during October and throughout the year. They seem to be making a difference too, with 9 out of 10 teachers reporting a positive impact on pupils’ understanding of diversity and inclusion after using Premier League Primary Stars materials.
Three free Black History Month resources from Premier League Primary Stars
The resources sit within the programme’s No Room for Racism collection, and schools can choose from three.
Allyship
This resource introduces pupils to what being an ally means. It includes a film in which professional players celebrate cultural diversity in football. The key message is that everyone has a part to play in challenging racism and building fairer, more welcoming communities.
Stereotyping
Using real-life scenarios and guided activities, this resource helps children spot discrimination and hurtful behaviour and think about their own assumptions. Professional players share their views on racial stereotyping and allyship in accompanying films.
Racism and Inclusion
This resource explains the difference between race and ethnicity and the harm racism causes. Professional players talk about their own experiences, and by the end pupils understand what allyship looks like in practice and how they can help end racism.
The Stereotyping and Racism and Inclusion resources were created with support from BBC Own It. Both come with teacher and general guidance documents to help staff tackle sensitive topics with confidence.
Why footballers make a difference in the classroom
Teachers say hearing from well-known players really helps. A Diversity Lead from a London school said: “Incorporating real-life scenarios and players helps because pupils see a recognisable figure talking about an important subject. It engages them, even those pupils who are less engaged in football.”
Teachers can access all the resources for free at plprimarystars.com.
