Educational Resource Pack Launch.

On Thursday 6th December 2007 Northamptonshire Black History Association as part of its Heritage Lottery Funded education project called Shaping the Future, launched the first title in a series of five educational resource packs for schools.

Jerome Freeman, Curriculum Advisor for History at the QCA said,
“I am delighted to hear that the first educational pack for the Northamptonshire Black History - Shaping the Future is now being launched. This new resource is timely - at QCA we have recently launched the new Secondary Curriculum for first teaching in schools from September 2008. Amongst the many changes is the much greater emphasis across the curriculum on developing learners' understanding and appreciation of identity and cultural diversity. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, for example through subjects such as history, citizenship, geography and RE and also through the new cross curricular dimension entitled Identity and Cultural Diversity which can provide a focus for this work across subjects and enrich learning within the curriculum as a whole.”

David Lammy, Tottenham MP and Minister for Skills said,
“I'm delighted that Northamptonshire BHA are trying to give Walter Tull some of the much deserved prominence he deserves in mainstream history. As the first black infantryman in the British Army, and my home team's first black player, I'm proud of Walter Tull's contribution to his country. I know that Northampton Town Football Club has recognised Tull's impact with their own memorial garden, and I'm so pleased that the young people will now come to know more about this brave historical figure.”

Edward Finlayson, Great nephew of Walter Tull said,
“The Walter Tull book you have created as part of the programme is wonderful. Thanks to you I have been able to share it with many members of the family and we are all delighted. I do not doubt that a great deal of commitment skill and effort has been required to create this very accessible and attractive publication.”

The launch event was held at Northampton Town Football Club and guests included local MP Brian Binley, Mayor of Northampton Cllr. Lee Mason and teachers from local schools. NTFC General Manager, Tony Clarke welcomed everyone and talked about the importance of the packs. Phil Vasili, author of Colouring Over the White Lines. The History of Black British Footballers gave an informed speech about Walter Tull. Students from Northampton Academy and Kingsthorpe College performed short dramas about the life of Walter Tull.