February Assemblies (UK)
Facing History Approach to Assemblies
Assemblies are a critical part of the school day. Regular assemblies provide an opportunity to bring your students together in order to introduce important issues and share your school’s values and priorities. Utilised correctly, assemblies have the potential to build an inclusive and supportive school community.
At Facing History, our assemblies have been designed to introduce students to significant annual and/or historical events, whilst supporting them to become empathetic and critical thinkers. Each assembly also provides students with opportunities to share their thoughts with each other, helping them to develop oracy and listening skills. The assemblies last for approximately 20 minutes, but can be adapted to suit your specific timing requirements.
Facing History assemblies do not require specialist knowledge and are suitable for use in a KS3-4 or S1-4 assembly or in tutor time/PSHE. Some assemblies have been adapted from existing Facing History lessons and resources available on our website, while others have been newly created.
Assemblies in February
There are 3 assemblies available for use in February.
LGBTQ+ History Month
What is LGBTQ+ History Month and why does it matter? The theme for LGBTQ+ History Month 2024 is ‘Under the Scope’ and this is an opportunity for young people to focus on and celebrate the achievement of the LGBTQ+ community in the field of Medicine and Healthcare, both historically and today. It is also a chance to highlight the health inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people.
This assembly introduces young people to members of the LGBTQ+ community who have shaped the field of medicine and healthcare, and invites them to consider why it is important to remember and celebrate their achievements. Students also reflect on the health inequalities faced by the LGBTQ+ community, both during the 1980s AIDs crisis and in the present day.
Safer Internet Day
What is Safer Internet Day and why does internet safety matter? There is no denying the impact that the internet has had on our lives; for many of us, the internet is not only essential for work, it is also an important socialising tool. But our reliance on the internet can come at a cost. This assembly encourages young people to consider how much time they spend online, what activities they do online, and how safe their behaviour is online. It includes tips and scenarios to help young people reflect on and practise online safety.
Random Acts of Kindness Day
What is Random Acts of Kindness Day and why does it matter? Kindness is a value that is often touted as important, but little is done to consider the impact of kind actions, on ourselves and on others. This assembly guides young people to consider why kindness matters and asks young people to reflect on kind acts they have taken part in or benefited from. It also challenges young people to take action and to perform acts of kindness at school, at home and within their local communities, and gives teachers an opportunity to celebrate their students.
Notes for Use
Download the student-facing slides here. While you may need to modify these to meet the needs of your students, please note that Facing History and Ourselves does not endorse any changes that alter the presentation's content or original layout.
