news
The scandal of black children sent to special schools
In 1960s and 70s Britain, hundreds of black children were labelled as educationally subnormal , and wrongly sent to schools for pupils who were deemed to have low intelligence. For the first time, some former pupils have spoken about their experiences for a new BBC documentary.
In the 1970s, at the age of six, Noel Gordon was sent to what was known at the time as an educationally subnormal (ESN) boarding school, 15 miles (24km) from his home. That school was hell, says Noel. I spent 10 years there, and when I left at 16, I couldn t even get a job because I couldn t spell or fill out a job application.
BBC News
By Ashley John-Baptiste
image captionNoel Gordon, former ESN student
In 1960s and 70s Britain, hundreds of black children were labelled as educationally subnormal , and wrongly sent to schools for pupils who were deemed to have low intelligence. For the first time, some former pupils have spoken about their experiences for a new BBC documentary.
In the 1970s, at the age of six, Noel Gordon was sent to what was known at the time as an educationally subnormal (ESN) boarding school, 15 miles (24km) from his home. That school was hell, says Noel. I spent 10 years there, and when I left at 16, I couldn t even get a job because I couldn t spell or fill out a job application.
Subnormal: The scandal of black children sent to special schools bbc.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Did you watch the fifth and final film from Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology?
Kenyah Sandy in Education
DIRECTOR STEVE McQueen says having an ‘unfortunate time growing up as a Black child in the British education system’ was the premise for the fifth and final film from Small Axe anthology.
Though the film is set in the early 70’s, there were many parallels with my experience in the education system in the 80’s
Steve McQueen
Education is the coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley (Kenyah Sandy), a boy with a fascination for astronauts and rockets.
When Kingsley is called to the Headmaster’s office for disruptive behaviour in class, he is shocked to discover his transfer to a school for those with “special needs.”