From maths at the seaside to functional skills for engineering and hair and beauty diplomas, these short video lesson starters for secondary students present learning in a fun and relevant way.

Secondary Lesson Starters

Five KS3/KS4 videos on climate, tourism and natural resources

Show Key Stage 3/4 geography pupils what the future holds for Antarctica, addressing climate change, tourism, sustainable development and international treaties, with five lessons-starting videos in this classroom resource. Each short video can be used individually and covers diverse topics including an introduction to the idea of researching glaciers, and how this relates to theories on the rate of climate change. Also examine with secondary students the conditions of the International Antarctic Treaty, the ecological footprint of the tourist trade and the debate over whether mining rigs should be built in Antarctica to access its natural resources.

Antarctica

A rocket scientist tours a South African telescope: KS3/4 science

A rocket scientist tours a huge telescope in South Africa, in this lesson starter on astronomy for Key Stage 3/4 science pupils. Dr Maggie Aderin explains how the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) works and meets the people who operate the mechanism, in this classroom resource for secondary students PSHE. She is the UK's only black female rocket scientist and she's in high demand for her inspiring science talks.

Astronomy: Inside a Telescope

A look at the first black people in Britain, and their impact

This KS3 black history lesson starter video looks at some of the black people who came to Britain centuries ago and the role they played in British society. There has been a black presence in England as far back as 211AD when Septimus Severus, one of the African roman emperors, died in York. Historian Tony Warner explains there were black people living in Britain in the 16th - 18th centuries, who were neither slaves nor servants. Throughout the centuries, there is evidence of independent and influential people of Caribbean and African descent in Britain. One record is from 1511, when a North African trumpeter was depicted on the Westminster Tournament Roll. He was probably employed by both Henry VII and Henry VIII. Black men and women made appearances in the diaries of Samuel Pepys and in 18th century portraits. Tony explains how by the late 16th century, trade had opened up between West Africa and Britain and Africans began to settle here, especially in seafaring places like Bristol, London, Liverpool and Glasgow. This classroom resource is designed for use with Year 7 to Year 9 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Black Britons

How the popularity of coffee links back to British black history

Learn about the growth in popularity of coffee and its connections with black history in Britain, in this lesson starter for use with KS3 pupils. Historian Tony Warner shows how black history can be found in UK towns and cities. Here, he explains how in the 1700s, the busiest trading areas of most British cities had a high proportion of coffee houses. The popularity of coffee coincided with one of the darkest episodes in Britain's history, and Tony shows how there was also an increasing demand for sugar and tobacco, with British economic power relying on Triangular Trade, which included slave trading. Tony also explains how docklands, rivers or canals are often rich hunting grounds for evidence of connections with Africa and the Caribbean, in this easy-to-understand classroom resource for Year 7 to Year 9.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Coffee Houses and the Slave Trade

A look at the origins of gold for KS3, tracing it back to Africa

Historian Tony Warner brings to light African and Caribbean influences on Britain, in this KS3 black history lesson starter on gold and Britain's financial history. Tony acts as a guide, showing how black history can be found in towns or cities throughout the UK, in this classroom resource. Most towns have a trading or financial area and evidence of black history is often very prevalent in these areas. Tony visits the Bank of England, feels the weight of a real solid gold bar, and talks about its origins. He explains how some of Britain's earliest trading power came from gold mined in Africa, in an easy-to-understand way for Year 7 to Year 9. One of the first British mass produced gold coins takes its name from the region of West African where much of the gold used to make the coin came from.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Gold

Exploring the historical significance of African obelisks

This KS3 lesson starter on black history highlights the contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent to British landmarks. Historian Tony Warner uncovers African influences in a city square, here in the form of an obelisk. Tony examines the meaning behind this landmark, its ancient African design, and explains how they are often found at key locations around Britain, in an easy-to-understand classroom resource for Year 7 to Year 9 pupils. The original obelisks date back thousands of years to Africa, where they were placed outside temples, most likely as symbols of rebirth. They are often found in cemeteries and memorials.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - The Obelisk

Peer mentors attempt to stop a group of bullying girls

Two peer mentors attempt to prevent bullying in this short video devised by students in this lesson starter for KS3 and KS4 PSHE lessons. The scenario indicates how a conflict between students could be successfully resolved by peer mentors. Suitable for engaging and stimulating class discussion.

Bullying Girls: Reenactment

Experts discuss the issue of girls bullying other girls

A short video looking at the issue of girls bullying other girls in this lesson starter for KS3 and KS4 PSHE lessons. Experts talk about the nature of abusive behaviour among females and its consequences on the mental health of its victims. Suitable for engaging and stimulating class discussion.

Bullying Girls: The Issues

Rocket scientist discusses her career for KS3/KS4 PSHE or science

A rocket scientist talks about why she finds her career so exciting, in this classroom resource designed for use in a Key Stage 3/4 PSHE or science class. Dr Maggie Aderin explains where her passion for space comes from and discusses the learning difficulties she's overcome to pursue a career in science. She is the UK's only black female rocket scientist and is in high demand for her inspiring science talks.

Careers: Rocket Scientist

A dramatised, true account of child abuse, for PSHE KS3/KS4

Watch a dramatised true story of a young girl's abuse at the hands of her mother. The girl is played by an actor in this short video suitable for Key Stage 3/4 PSHE. Secondary students can hear how her mother physically and emotionally abused her, and how she realised over time that her mother's behaviour was wrong. Now a young woman, she recounts her moving story up to the age of 11.

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