Why the ‘Windrush Generation’ should be taught in UK schools.

Demi Caddy, 30^th September 2024

Seen as the beginning of multicultural Britain, the story of the Windrush feels important in understanding Britain today. Yet, findings suggest that little over half of the British public understand what the Windrush is. Whilst the fight against racism continues, pressure is mounting for better education on subjects such as Windrush, 77% of secondary school children believing that it should be taught in schools.

Often looked at as the beginning of multicultural Britain, the arrival of the Windrush is a significant historical event. One which may be relevant for understanding the state of race relations in Britain today. Yet, a report conducted by British Future in 2023 found that only 55% of people could name the ship that’s become the symbol of commonwealth migration. Campaigners against racism are seeking to change this and point to the importance of recognising black history and cultural contributions such as that of the Windrush. A sentiment which appears to be shared by those in education, with 77% of secondary school children saying that the Windrush generation should be taught in school.

It was just six years ago, that the nation was shocked by the 2018 Windrush Scandal. When the British public first learned of how the government's implementation of new immigration policies had detrimentally impacted members of the ‘Windrush Generation’. Uncovering how policies introduced in an effort to create a ‘hostile environment’ for illegal immigrants, had also targeted those who came to post-war Britain from the British colonies. Those being members of the ‘Windrush generation’. Even though they had come and settled in Britain legally as subjects of the British Empire and members of the Commonwealth. Some lost all they had worked for, including their jobs, pensions, and homes. And some even faced deportation, 70 years after the Empire Windrush first arrived.

The scandal brought the Windrush generation into focus and showcased how their community has frequently been treated as other in British society. Highlighting the perpetual failure to acknowledge that Britain needed manpower following WW2. And how there continues to be little understanding of the ways Commonwealth migrants contributed to rebuilding the nation.

Following the break of the scandal various efforts were made to understand how it could happen and compensate those who had been affected. In an independent review published in 2020, Windrush Lessons Learnt uncovered institutional failures and found that a general lack of understanding when it comes to Britain’s colonial past had contributed to the scandal. The review, which had been commissioned by the government, made various recommendations including one to ‘implement a learning plan on UK history’. Suggesting the ongoing need for better education when it comes to Britain’s black history.

It’s now 2024 and just last year the nation celebrated the 75^th anniversary since the HMT Windrush first arrived. Recent years have seen subjects surrounding racism, immigration, and Britain’s colonial past continue to frequent the mass media. And, the emergence of movements like Black Lives Matter which spread from the US in 2021 have contributed to the mounting pressure there is to tackle racism once and for all. One aspect of that being to finally recognise black history and contributions such as that of the Windrush. The National Education Union is one of many organisations pushing for change in education. Saying ‘Every student in school needs to get the chance to learn about this important moment in our shared British history’ when speaking of Windrush education.

Despite all the calls for Windrush to be made compulsory in education it appears as though covering that part of British history remains optional. Gov.co.uk saying ‘The freedom and flexibility of the national curriculum mean that historic events such as Windrush can be taught in schools’. With the government having launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review in July of this year, only time will tell if the decision is made to make this part of British history mandatory in education once and for all.

You may be able to claim compensation if you suffered losses because you could not show that you had a right to live in the UK via the Windrush Compensation Scheme. Visit www.gov.uk/apply-windrush-compensation-scheme for details.

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