Historic England Heritage Schools programme 

Gateshead Arts team are working with three primary schools on a Heritage Schools project exploring the diversity of Gateshead Communities. 

Gateshead is one of the least ethnically diverse boroughs in the country with 94% of residents being White British in the most recent census. However, records like the 1901 census tell us that at one time over 40% of Gateshead's residents were not from this country. 

So, whilst not a statistically diverse borough, it has important histories linked to a wide and fascinating range of communities.  

 This project was asking pupils to look at their local community and to research and explore the history of individuals and families. 

Kelvin Grove Primary School explored Black and African migration, with their research including a guided walk around appropriate locations in Newcastle and Gateshead with volunteer guides from African Lives in Northern England. The Year 5 pupils then worked with artist Sheree Mack to create colourful collage artwork to represent the stories of the people they heard about on the walk, and also of themselves or their classmates' family stories. 

 Whickham Parochial Church of England School Year 5 class are learning about the stories of people from SE Asia, in particular India and Pakistan, and the cultural influences they brought to Britain from Victorian times to present day, including artwork styles and story telling through puppets. 

 St Augustine's RC Primary School is researching European migration across the last 150 years, learning about it through nature imagery and linking the migration of birds to their own family stories and journeys some of their relatives made when they came to settle in Britain. 

"It was a really joyful and colourful experience working with the Year 5 children. They were thirsty for paint, getting it all over the papers as well as themselves. But they understood straight away the task that was asked of them, creating collages, and they dived in with enthusiasm and connection to the individuals they met through their African Lives in Northern England walk. The children and Kelvin Grove school were a pleasure and fun to work with." (Sheree from living Wild Studios) 

Find out more about Heritage Schools (opens new window)