As part of Black History Month at Westbridge Primary School in Battersea, all 192 pupils from Nursery to Year 6 took part in a drumming workshop on Monday 14^th October.

Taught by 85-year-old retired Ghanaian teacher Atsu, founder of Venavi Drums Ltd, the pupils played the djembe drums, typically from West Africa in the style of the Bambara, Mali. The workshop highlighted a variety of drumming patterns such as call and response. Early years children sang nursery rhymes as part of the drumming rhythm.

Some children had the opportunity to play the Sekeseke, which are metal plates attached to the edge of the djembe drum, to create extra sound.

Westbridge Headteacher Diane Thompson said: “Black History Month is an important date in the school calendar. It has been celebrated in the UK for over 40 years and we are delighted that our pupils can share the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK and beyond.”

Westbridge is running a calendar of activities throughout October: Year 6 are studying Nelson Mandela; Year 5 are discovering NASA mathematician, Katherine Johnson; Year 4 are learning about civil rights activist, Ruby Bridges; Year 3 are looking at the most senior midwife in England, Professor Dunkley-Bent; Year 2 are learning about female footballer Alex Scott MBE;  Year 1 are studying British Afro-Caribbean artist Sonia Dawn Boyce OBE RA; and EYFS children are learning all about CBBC presenter Karuim Zeroual. 

The activities have been coordinated by Amanda Murphy who leads on History and Geography at Westbridge and each activity was tailored to class age and relevance to pupils.