A scheme of work across five lessons supporting the English Language assessment objectives for GCSE. Follow English teacher Hassan, from Syria, as he leaves his war-torn country and attempts to travel to the UK. Using phone cameras, interviews and voiceover, the BBC documentary series shines a light on the untold story of the migrant crisis. His story— dramatic and dismaying by turn—will enable students to practise a range of reading, writing and listening skills while building their understanding of a critical issue affecting people across the world today.

Child Migrant Stories draws on the experiences of people who migrated under the age of 18 from across the world to East London from 1930 to the present day. Some came on their own; others came with, or to join family members who they may not have seen for years. Their stories are of loss and reunion but of resilience too, often in the face of war, poverty and discrimination. They are poignant, powerful and sometimes very funny.

The profiles of the people who generously participated in this project came from Turkey, Cyprus, Brazil, El Salvador, Poland, Italy, Southern Ireland, Vietnam, Jamaica, Antigua, Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, Yemen, Somalia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan at different ages between 5 and 17. Some experiences, drawing on child migrants’ own words, have been highlighted in Spotlight Stories. Four films, developed in collaboration with former child migrants and drawing on their creativity, bring these experiences vividly to life through image, music and art.

The Child Migrant Stories teaching resources have been developed with and for educators for use in classrooms, heritage sites and other informal learning spaces across the UK.

Click here to view and download resources.

A free-to-download history of migration to Spitalfields written by our education committee member Martin Spafford for the OCR A ‘Migration to Britain’ GCSE course.

Our new exhibition No Turning Back: Seven Migration Moments That Changed Britain focuses on seven pivotal moments when migration shaped the history of Britain.

We are coordinating a range of workshops and self-directed activities for school trips to the exhibition. Below you will find KS3 and KS4 resources co-designed with teachers for before your visit and to follow up in the classroom afterwards. Whilst these resources cater for KS3 and 4, we are also working with year 5 and 6 pupils so please also get in touch if you are a KS2 teacher. We welcome your feedback on these resources.

Click here to view and download resources

7 Powerpoints and supporting worksheets and activities

Website in four time period categories

Classroom resources and additional materials.