Can I explore migrations in history?

Can I explore migrations in history?

I think

I feel

I wonder

The Windrush Generation

Watch this video and take notes about the Windrush Generation migrating from the Caribbean to Britain in the late 1940s- 1960s.

Can I explore migrations in history?

Windrush Generation

In 1948, after the Second World War, Britain was just starting to recover. Thousands of buildings had been bombed and houses destroyed, and it all needed to be rebuilt. There was a shortage of labour in Britain after the war. Many Caribbeans answered an advert to come to Britain where there were lots of jobs to do.

On 22 June 1948 the Windrush ship sailed into Tilbury Dock, Essex with about 800 immigrants from Jamaica on board.

There had been black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean in Britain for centuries but the migration after the Second World War brought thousands of black people to Britain on a large scale.

From the year 1948 to 1970 almost half a million people moved from the Caribbean to Britain and today we call this ‘The Windrush Generation’.

​

Was it only the Windrush ship that brought Caribbeans to Britain?

The arrival of the Windrush was the start of a period of migration from the Caribbean to Britain that did not slow down until 1962.

​

By 1955, 18,000 Jamaicans had moved to Britain. This outward flow of people to settle in Britain was an important event in the history of the West Indies. It also changed the social landscape of Britain.

​

​

I think

I feel

I wonder

Windrush child by John Agard

​

doors closing and opening

will things turn out right?

At least the ship will arrive

in midsummer light

and you Windrush child

think of Grandmother

telling you don't forget to write

and with one last hug

walk good walk good

and the sea's wheel carries on spinning

and from that place England

you tell her in a letter

of your Windrush adventure

stepping in a big ship

not knowing how long the journey

​

or that you're stepping into history

bringing your Caribbean eye

to another horizon

Grandmother's words your shining beacon

learning how to fly

the kite of your dreams

in an English sky

Windrush child

walking good walking good

in a mind-opening

meeting of snow and sun

​

Behind you

Windrush child

palm trees wave goodbye

above you

Windrush child

seabirds asking why

around you

Windrush child

blue water rolling by

beside you

Windrush child

your Windrush mum and dad

think of storytime yard

and mango mornings

and new beginnings

​

Windrush Child: Watch this stop-start animation of the poem by some school children in London.

Can I describe an historical event?

I think

I feel

I wonder

What were the push and pull factors for the Windrush generation?

Teacher note: Insert comprehension activity of choice here, or use alternative tasks on the next slide.

Learning task: Using the knowledge you have gained from the video, the text and the poem, you are going to describe the experiences of a Windrush child.

​

Choose how you would like to do this:

• A comic strip showing the experiences of a Windrush child

Including speech bubbles showing the child’s feelings or dialogue

and captions giving key information.

​

• A letter from a child to a grandparent back in the Carribean.

​

• An annotated feelings graph showing the highs and lows

of a child’s emotions during this experience.

​

Can I describe an historical event?

You can find out additional information about the Windrush generation by clicking here.

Success Criteria

Your learning should include:

• A description of the experiences of a Windrush Child
• Key information about this historical event
• Some of the problems experienced and the solutions.

Extension: If you want to learn more, read some first-hand accounts.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Can I describe an historical event?

Arley and Isa

Harshi

Hanson