To mark Black History Month, students from Ormiston Bridge Academy in Fulham visited the V&A East in Stratford, London to see the new exhibition The Music Is Black: A British Story.
During the trip, Year 11 students who are studying Art & Design at GCSE explored the rich history of Black British music through examining the collection’s cultural memorabilia. Students wore headphones as they moved through the space, listening to music derived from across 125 years including, gospel, blues, jazz, reggae, lovers rock, jungle, drum and bass, grime and hip-hop. The headphones enhanced the multi-sensory experience as they discovered stories behind the people, places and cultural movements that helped shape British music.
It was wonderful to see our students learning, discussing and, most importantly, enjoying themselves as part of this meaningful experience.
Sophia Martin, Principal at Ormiston Bridge Academy
The trip was both educational and fun, with students reflecting upon the histories that had influenced some of their favourite music genres. The visit encouraged thoughtful conversations about the importance of Black culture and its place within British history. Students reflected on the ways migration, cultural exchange and creativity have contributed to the diverse identity of modern Britain.
As art and design students, they were particularly inspired by the visual aspects of the exhibition, examining instruments, album artwork photography, stage wear and fashion. The trip fed into the wider goals of the school’s art department to support students in exploring and developing contextual understanding of different creative moments, giving students plenty of ideas to take forward in their studies.
The visit follows on from the success of the school’s previous Black History Month activities. Last year, Ormiston Bridge proudly celebrated with a programme of events and activities, including learning about the contributions of Black scientists throughout history, and watching a powerful spoken word performance by Natalie Wright, Secondary Outreach Specialist Teacher at Bridge, who shared pieces exploring British identity and her grandfather’s Windrush journey.
Sophia Martin, Principal at Ormiston Bridge Academy, said:
“It was wonderful to see our students learning, discussing, creating connections and, most importantly, enjoying themselves as part of this meaningful experience. The trip provided an excellent starting point for our Black History Month activities and gave our young artists plenty of ideas and experiences to take back into the classroom.”
Black History Month was established to create space for reflection, recognition and informed discussion. This year’s theme was “Honouring Our Communities,” which highlights the everyday contributions, care, leadership, and resilience of Black individuals and networks across Britain.