1. ‘Our Time Has Come’
…encourages KS3-4 students of all backgrounds to reach an informed understanding of (and respect for) their own and each other’s identities by reflecting positively on their heritage, cultures and potential as active citizens.

2. Notes for Teachers 1
"Good resource, but a lack of British black people on it … It is important for young black people growing up in the UK to be aware of role models in the UK.“
accessed 21/11/2012
“Schools are usually thoughtful enough to ensure that there is a focus on more positive proactive Black experiences after the Slave Trade was abolished by the British in 1807, yet this usually focuses on the United States of America.”
Robin Whitburn and Sharon Yemoh, ‘“My people struggled too”: hidden histories and heroism’, Teaching History, Issue 147, June 2012, pp.16-25, on p.18

3. Notes for Teachers 2
‘Our Time Has Come’ is a set of resources uploaded to the Guardian Teacher Network website. The resources provide the content, sources and information to support the delivery of a local and relevant approach to post-war black history in the British classroom. They use the achievements of Bernie Grant (1944–2000) as an opportunity to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of significant individuals. Bernie Grant was one of four Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) MPs elected to Parliament in 1987; the others were Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng and Keith Vaz. All four represented the Labour Party. The collective resource title ‘Our Time Has Come’ is the headline of a front-page article in the Caribbean Times celebrating this historic moment in the history of BAME representation in Britain. Prior to the 1980s, the last time a BAME MP had been elected to Parliament was in 1922 (see Our Time Has Come (2) for more information).

4. Notes for Teachers 3
‘Our Time Has Come’ consists of five resources uploaded separately but sharing a common title and theme. Taught as a set ‘Our Time Has Come’ is expected to take 2-3 hours of class time. However, the resources are intended to be flexibly used. Teachers are encouraged to pick and choose from the presentations, activities and historical sources provided to suit their teaching and learning needs. They might, for example: – teach the set as a self-standing study as part of Black History Month (Oct) or Parliament Week (Nov) – ‘nest’ aspects of the set within other areas of study – use the resources as a springboard into the study of how individuals affect history
‘Our Time Has Come’ assumes from the teacher basic prior knowledge of: – 20th century UK Parliamentary processes – the role of a British MP

5. Notes for Teachers 4 Use of Materials in ‘Our Time Has Come’
Unless otherwise stated, the documents and images included in this set of resources are from the Bernie Grant Archive. They have been cleared for reproduction for learning purposes with the permission of the Bernie Grant Archive, owned by the Bernie Grant Trust and housed in the Bishopsgate Institute Archive.

6. Notes for Teachers 5 Useful Web-links
(Bernie Grant at the Labour Party Conference 1984)
(Bernie Grant speaking in the House of Commons 1999)

7. Our Time Has Come (3)

8. ‘Putting People First’
Our Time Has Come (3)
‘Putting People First’
Learning objectives
To study Bernie Grant’s activities and aims as a new MP
To use original sources to complete questions on Bernie Grant MP and the political climate in 1987
To extract basic historical information from original sources

9. Key words
Justice Flyer Constituency Represent

10. Source One
After his election to Parliament in June 1987, Bernie Grant’s office issued this flyer to local people.

11. When was the 1987 election held?
Who was the Prime Minister before the election?
Who was the Prime Minister after the election?
Which London constituency did Bernie Grant represent?
Describe Bernie Grant’s political approach in three words?
How far do you trust this source?
Small group activity
Working in small groups or individually, students should be given a marked-up version of the source with the accompanying questions. Explain that the parts of the text underlined in red provide basic facts or information about the 1987 election and about Bernie Grant’s career as an MP. The words or phrases circled in blue provide information about Bernie Grant’s approach to politics.

12. Q: What was Mr Grant’s first name? A: Bernie
Example Question
Q: What was Mr Grant’s first name?
A: Bernie
Teachers notes:
To check students have read the source correctly, they should show their thought processes by drawing lines to link their answers to the source text. To check comprehension, talk through the example on the slide.

13. When was the 1987 election held? June 11th
Who was the Prime Minister before the election? Margaret Thatcher
Who was the Prime Minister after the election? Margaret Thatcher
Which London constituency did Bernie Grant represent? Tottenham
Describe Bernie Grant’s political approach in three words?
How far do you trust this source?
Answer slide
Go through the answers. Re question 2 & 3, ensure students are able to explain how they know this from the source.

14. Independent activity
This extract provides an overview of Bernie Grant’s career and achievements. Hand out copies to the whole class. Students should read a sentence each aloud. Check comprehension. At home, ask them to:
underline three things which show that Bernie Grant kept his 1987 campaign promise of ‘putting people first.’
circle three things which indicate that Bernie Grant made a difference as a politician
place a cross alongside the sentence that shows Bernie Grant struggled to overcome popular prejudice against him.
Extension activity
Re-read the last sentence. Do you agree or disagree with the final words of this statement? Use one or more quotes from this extract to support your arguments.
Source Two
An extract from the programme for a concert held in Bernie Grant’s memory in 2000

15. Additional Sources
The sources that follow are included to help develop the themes and learning of the ‘Putting People First’ resource

16. Bernie Grant is nominated to stand for election as the Labour Party candidate for the Tottenham Constituency 28 May 1987

17. Cover of the programme for a concert held in Bernie Grant’s memory in 2000

18. An extract from the programme for a concert held in Bernie Grant’s memory in 2000

19. Election poster for window display

20. Rosette worn during election campaign

21. Compliment slip from the office of Bernie Grant MP