< Back to Blog

Black history matters

 

Historian David Olusoga visited Redmaids High School during Black History Month

Today, our students received a special visit from historian, author and broadcaster David Olusoga.

David, whose recent TV work includes House Through Time and the BAFTA award-winning Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners, was invited to the school as part of the girls’ history studies, and his visit coincided with Black History Month.

While addressing the senior school, David explained why black history matters. He said, “Black History Month is about finding a history that all of us can relate to. The British population continues to increase in diversity so that by the middle of this century, one third of its people will be black or of minority ethnic origin. Our history must therefore work for the country we are going to become.”

He also reminded us that we are part of something bigger. “You are part of a longer story” he told the students, “living as you do in an old city and attending such a historic school.

“To understand why we are the way we are, we have to understand history is not just what happens here, but what happens around the world and how everything is connected.”

Following his talk, in a Q&A session, David said to Sixth Form historians, “I sense your generation is much less willing to tolerate a sanitised version of the past. You use the internet to actively search for truth and I sense a real willingness to question orthodoxies, which is very positive.”

Finally, during a recorded broadcast for the school’s radio station Redmaidio he discussed a range of issues including education, the environment, Brexit and cultural identity with Freya and Layla, both of whom have applied to Oxford University to study history. “I don’t feel guilt or shame about my ancestors,” he told them, “but I do feel a responsibility to discuss what happened.”  

Speaking of his visit, Mrs Warrington, Redmaids’ High Head of History, said, “David reminded us that some of our history is very difficult and painful. But that’s all part of it and we can’t pretend it’s not.”

David is Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours 2019 for his services to history and community integration.

Date Posted: 18 October, 2019

Articles for: Humanities

GCSE results 2019  | Redmaids' High School

GCSE results 2019 | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 22 August, 2019
READ MORE
Redland Hall showcases first-class music   | Redmaids' High School

Redland Hall showcases first-class music | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 10 October, 2019
READ MORE
A Level Results 2019  | Redmaids' High School

A Level Results 2019 | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 15 August, 2019
READ MORE
Mrs Tobias announces her retirement  | Redmaids' High School

Mrs Tobias announces her retirement | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 3 September, 2019
READ MORE
Success for our U11 hockey team

Success for our U11 hockey team

Date Posted: 25 March, 2022
Following a strong performance in the County Tournament, our Year 6 hockey team travelled to Millfield to compete in...
READ MORE
The RWA champion student artwork | Redmaids' High School

The RWA champion student artwork | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 18 May, 2020
READ MORE
Regional hockey champions | Redmaids' High School

Regional hockey champions | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 9 December, 2019
READ MORE
Redmaids’ High girls make history! | Redmaids' High School

Redmaids’ High girls make history! | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 23 November, 2020
READ MORE
New LUMINARY magazine is out | Redmaids' High School

New LUMINARY magazine is out | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 1 October, 2019
READ MORE
In recognition of our hard working, resilient Year 11 students | Redmaids' High School

In recognition of our hard working, resilient Year 11 students | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 20 August, 2020
READ MORE
Vaccine catch-up centres set up by Redmaids' High alumna | Redmaids' High School

Vaccine catch-up centres set up by Redmaids' High alumna | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 16 April, 2021
READ MORE
Redmaids' High represent South West at Junior Inter-Regional Orienteering Championships

Redmaids' High represent South West at Junior Inter-Regional Orienteering Championships

Date Posted: 29 September, 2022
Orienteering at Redmaids’ High continues to go from strength to strength. As well as introducing students to this...
READ MORE
Phenomenal IB results for Redmaids' High students

Phenomenal IB results for Redmaids' High students

Date Posted: 9 July, 2021
Along with students across the world, our Sixth Formers have battled through lockdown, disruption, online learning and...
READ MORE
Great results for community minded IB students at Redmaids’ High | Redmaids' High School

Great results for community minded IB students at Redmaids’ High | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 6 July, 2020
READ MORE
Celebrating books! | Redmaids' High School

Celebrating books! | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 13 March, 2018
READ MORE
Live music returns to Redmaids' High with our autumn concert

Live music returns to Redmaids' High with our autumn concert

Date Posted: 18 November, 2021
On Thursday 11 November, nearly 200 students across years 7 to 13 took part in our autumn concert.
READ MORE
Top marks for the Class of 2022

Top marks for the Class of 2022

Date Posted: 25 August, 2022
Following two years of hard work, dedication, and adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, Year 11 students were...
READ MORE
Isata Kanneh-Mason performs at Redmaids' High

Isata Kanneh-Mason performs at Redmaids' High

Date Posted: 4 November, 2022
On Tuesday 1 November, Redmaids' High School was very excited to welcome Isata Kanneh-Mason to the school. When she was...
READ MORE
A letter from Balmoral for Redmaids' High Juniors

A letter from Balmoral for Redmaids' High Juniors

Date Posted: 9 September, 2022
This week, the girls at Redmaids High Junior School received a letter from someone very special. Someone the girls...
READ MORE
The Ayoub Sisters visit Redmaids' High

The Ayoub Sisters visit Redmaids' High

Date Posted: 24 April, 2024
READ MORE
Click here to view all news articles