From Marcus Rashford to Nelson Mandela, the youngsters now have a daily reminder of some of the figures who have made a significant contribution to society
Not many schools have a wall of blue plaques in their playground celebrating the lives of leading figures in sport, literature, civil rights and art.
But for the pupils at Wendell Park Primary School in Shepherds Bush, a special project for Black History Month has had a lasting legacy for the community.
From Manchester-born footballer Marcus Rashford to South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, the youngsters now have a daily reminder of some of the figures who have made a significant contribution to society.
The school’s deputy headteacher Rosie Peters explains: “As part of the school’s Black History Month project, the children were tasked with researching Black individuals past or present, who they believe have made a significant contribution to society.
“Each child did a presentation on their chosen individual and their class voted for one person who they deemed worthy of having a blue plaque.”
The replica blue plaques were officially unveiled on Friday 31 January by Dr Jak Beula, from the Nubian Jak Community Trust, which delivers diverse blue plaques through its scheme publicly endorsed by English Heritage.
Speaking about the importance of history and keeping the past alive, Dr Jak Beula praised the school’s work on diverse heritage.
The 14 replica blue plaques proudly secured to the playground wall celebrate a broad mix of different figures from around the world.
These include Somali poet Hawa Jibril, US artist Alma Thomas, and British abolitionist and composer Ignatius Sancho.
With pupils from Nursery through to Year 6 taking part in the project, creating the wall of replica blue plaques has been an experience for the whole school to enjoy, added Rosie.
“The idea of having a blue plaque project for Black History Month was born from the number of Nubian Jak Blue Plaque events the school choir and I have had the privilege of participating in,” she added.
“I remember having to explain to the children what a blue plaque was. Now they know. They also know to always stop when they see one and take a few minutes to read about the person it is dedicated to.”
The unveiling of the replica plaques by Dr Jak Beula was the latest in a series of visits by the British entrepreneur and cultural activist to the borough.
Most recently, the Nubian Jak Community Trust added to Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s array of official blue plaques by commemorating the lives of five prominent Black political and civil rights figures at a house in West Kensington.
Among leading figures associated with the house at 57 Castleton Road are African American revolutionary Malcolm X and human rights activists Marcus and Amy Garvey.
Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, and Nigerian civil rights lawyer Ladipo Solanke are also honoured with blue plaques at the house.
Other spots across H&F recognised with heritage blue plaques include the former office and studios of Island Records in Hammersmith, and the Shepherds Bush home of Caribbean singing sensation Millie Small.
