All language subtitles for Small Axe 1x05 - Education (English)

EDUCATION

These are the stars of Andromeda,
our home.

Places made familiar through centuries
of galactic travel.

But this is no ordinary journey,

because we are heading out of
charted territory,

through vast clouds of hydrogen,
to the very limits of our galaxy.

And there, as we emerge, are the
galaxies of our neighbours beyond.

And now we're out far enough to see in
perspective the place we've just left,

the beautiful spiral formation of
Andromeda.

Goodbye, Andromeda.
We'll be gone a long time.

For our voyage will carry us through
two and a half million light years

of inter-galactic void.

Activating the onboard replay scanner,

we are able to compress time
and watch a stellar birth.

A nuclear heart is beginning to beat.

Twenty-five minutes now to eight

and I've got four big stars on the
programme today, first off is Libra.

And Librans are going to find people
charming to chat to today.

You'll have no trouble in collecting
followers or admirers,

and I hope that you are putting
your street in

for our new contest which is called,
Keep the Capital Clean.

We're not really looking for a complete
facelift,

just some indications of who cares
about the street that you live in.

So why don't you enter, and send
your nomination to Keep Britain Tidy.

You want tea?

And box 194 in London,
here at Capital Radio.

The Keep Britain Tidy people at Capital
Radio are going to be doing the judging

and the prize is a street party
with the Capital's DJs attending...

You always take so long. It's not fair.

- I need to wash and brush my teeth.
- Kingsley, go away!

I'm telling Mum.

Bathroom's free!

Finally!

To music and love is the drug.

It's 21 minutes now before 8 o'clock,
and if you're going off to school,

and maybe you've got a few minutes
before you have to catch the bus,

well hang on just a moment because
what I'd like to know is

are any special events that's being
organised at your school this week

that may be open to members of the
public,

such as a school play
or maybe a sports event.

Now if there is one at your school
and you know about it

and you'd like everybody else to know
about it then call me at Capital Radio

and we may give you the chance to tell
London what's going on at your school.

The number, three double eight one two
nine five, call now.

- Eat breakfast.
- No time. Bye!

Alright, I'm going.

- See you later, Dad.
- See you.

- I'm late.
- Eat breakfast.

- Morning.
- Morning.

There is a path through the willows
and among the sycamores.

A path beaten hard by boys coming down
from the highway in the evening

to jungle up near water.

In front of the low horizontal limb
of a giant sycamore

there is an ash pile made by
many fires.

The limb is worn smooth by men
who have sat on it.

Evening of a hot day started the little
winds to moving among the leaves.

The shade climbed up the hills towards
the top.

On the sand banks the rabbit sat as
quietly as little grey...

scuptured stones.

Sculptured, not scuptured, Sajid.

Sculptured stones.

You big blockhead, Kingsley.

It's page, page two.
Second paragraph down.

And then...

Blockhead.

And then...

And then fr...

Then fr... fr... fro... And then...

Samantha, please continue.

And then from the direction
of the state highway

came the sound of footsteps
on crisp sycamore leaves.

The rabbits hurried noiselessly for
cover.

A stilted heron laboured up
into the air and pounded down river.

For a moment the place was lifeless.

So guys, what do you want to do
when you grow up?

- I dunno. What about you, Kingsley?
- I want to be an astronaut.

You can't have a black man in space,
who told you that!

- Calm down.
- Lads, alright.

I've got a lot of science homework
to do.

Ready. One, two.

London's burning. London's burning.

Fetch the engines. Fetch the engines.

Fire fire! Fire fire!

Pour on water. Pour on water.

My dic...tionary.
Will you suck my dic...tionary.

I beg your pardon.

Repeat what you just said.
Go on, Smith, I dare you.

Nothing, Mr. Hamley.

You lying, little bugger. I heard what
you just said, and it's disgusting,

and it's unacceptable,
and it has no place in this classroom.

Come with me. Get out.

Go on, get out!

Right. Continue. From the top.

London's burning. London's burning.

Fetch the engines. Fetch the engines.

Father God, thank you for today.
Thank you for blessing us.

Please send your angels to watch over
our bed, doors and windows.

Protect us and keep us safe.
Help us to have sweet dreams.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Dear God,
I'm sorry I was naughty today,

but if I'm a good boy can I please be
an astronaut like Neil Armstrong?

And also play for Tottenham. Amen.

Dear God, thank you for today. I thank
you that I got good marks in the test.

Please can you help me to keep getting
good marks

so I can into Chelsea School of Art.
Please, please, please.

Then I can work my way up in the
fashion world

and then I can go to Paris,
to one of the fashion houses,

like Yves Saint Laurent, and travel
the world looking for fabrics.

Then I can design my own range
and become world renowned

and rich and famous, but not arrogant.

And please can you bless Mummy
and Daddy and Kingsley too.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Mrs. Smith.
The Headmaster is ready for you now.

Mrs. Smith, I don't believe we've met.

Unfortunately, I've met you a great
many more times than I should have.

I came as soon as was possible.

The lady on the phone spoke of
an emergency?

Now, I'm a fair man, Mrs. Smith.
Christian man.

I'm sure we can understand each other
on that account.

So, whilst we could make this all about
your son's behaviour,

the many complaints I receive about his
disruptive influence on the classroom.

I'm pleased instead to talk about
second chances.

Mrs. Smith, I can see that Kingsley is
not a bad child.

He's a bit lively, perhaps.

But you see our school participates in
all manner of tests,

including intelligence tests.
Now Kingsley's IQ results suggest that

his particular needs are going to be
better served by a school

specifically established to meet
his requirements.

- Special School.
- I don't want to go there.

- I'll work hard, Mummy, I promise.
- Kingsley.

A Special School is called special for
a very good reason.

Smaller classes.
More focused teaching.

What was this test you mentioned?

The IQ test is an intelligence test
designed

to test the general intelligence of any
age group across the population.

Now I'm afraid Kingsley
scored well below average.

My son sometimes doesn't get things
right the first time.

- Can't he take the test again?
- No, it doesn't work like that.

No, it's a one off exam,

but adjudicated independently
so we know it's fair.

Now it's in Kingsley's best interest
that he be transferred

to another school. Fortunately,
we can do this straight away.

Who decided this?
Can I speak to them?

I am the messenger of good news here.
I shouldn't have to remind you of that.

Please, take a look.

How's he supposed to get to Barnet
and back every day?

Nothing like that to worry about,
Mrs. Smith, no.

A bus leaves from outside the school,
brings him back at the end of the day.

This is a great opportunity for you,
young man.

I don't know what they call me down
here for. Emergency for good news.

- Don't make no sense.
- You can't let them, Mum.

Don't even... When are you going to
grow up and be more like your sister?

Nothing but a heap of trouble.

But it wasn't only me.
The teachers just pick on me.

Take this and go straight home.

I ain't got time for any of this.
I got to go to work.

It's true, Mummy.

Give me the ball, man.

Hello, Mrs. Jones.

How are you doing today? Ok?
I'll just check your... pulse here.

- Stephanie!
- Why are you making so much noise?

- You're gonna wake Mummy.
- Mummy's at work.

I've been kicked out of school.

Be quiet, Kingsley. That's not funny.
Mummy's sleeping.

Mummy's not here. She had to meet
the Headmaster and it's really shit.

There's sending me to a stupid school.

Stop swearing in the house.
You're going to get us both killed.

I don't care. Mummy's not here.

Oh, my God.

What's going on?

I'm trying to tell you.
They're sending me to a stupid school.

They gave me this.

Two kids from my school got sent to
a school like this.

- What does it say?
- You want me to read it for you?

I have read it. I want to hear it.

You don't fool me.

There is a school in Durrants catering
for kids with special needs,

like not being able to read, Kingsley,
since 1922.

I don't have special needs.
I can read when I know the word.

- It's a school for idiots, isn't it?
- There's a swimming pool.

- I hate swimming.
- No, wait, wait.

After sixty years suspicion and
ignorance has given way to

enlightenment and acceptance that
Durrant is first and foremost a school.

What does that even mean?
First and foremost a school.

Why would you only put school
in capital letters?

Why you not in bed? I'm tired, tired,
and I have to work to my other job

just to put the shoes on your feet
and pay for this house.

I'm not doing this for you to make
a fool of me, now. Go to bed!

Go to bed!

Nothing but a heap of trouble!

What do we have first,
Maths or English?

Guess we'll be late.

Hey, look who's here.
Kingsley, Kingsley over here!

That's so unfair. You don't have to
wear school uniform anymore.

- We're here to say good luck.
- Shut up.

- I mean it.
- Yeah.

By the look of your new friends,
you're gonna need it.

- You going to Durrants?
- Yeah.

See you.

- Shut up.
- See you.

Good morning everyone, and welcome to
your new school, Durrants.

Is everyone excited?

And my name's Mr. Block and I'm in
charge of all you new pupils here,

and we'll be sending you to your
classrooms a bit later,

but now, and this is nothing for you to
worry about,

but we're going to start the day with
a few exercises

in order to understand you better.
That sound alright?

Let's start then, shall we? Hands up
if you can tell me what this says?

- What does it say?
- Ambulance.

Very good. Ambulance.

Ambulances take people to hospital
in an emergency.

Now, what about you, Kingsley,
can you tell me what this one says?

Do you know which letters they are?
What is this first one?

- It says exit.
- I wasn't asking you, Nina.

I was asking Kingsley.
What's this first letter here?

It says exit. I knew that.

But I want to know what this first
letter is now.

If you knew what it said,
why didn't you say?

I walked and walked and what did I
see? I saw John, and John saw me.

"Come and play," he said.
"Come and play with me."

I walked and walked and what did
I see? I saw Mother and Mother saw me.

"Come home," she said.
"Come home with me."

John said, "I like big trains",
"I like little trains."

Right, everyone. That's lunch.

- I'm starving.
- I'm starving.

I catch anyone climbing that fence,
there'll be hell to pay. Understood?

When you hear a loud whistle
like this...

- You come back here. Got it?
- Yeah.

Get on with it, then.

- But what are we supposed to do?
- Do what you want.

Go and swing from the trees like you're
back home in the jungle for all I care.

Just don't break any bones.

Kingsley!
Kingsley, we know you're in there.

I hope he's alright. My brother says
once you're in them schools, that's it.

- You're whole life's finished.
- What are you talking about?

That you can't get a job, or nothing.

No-one ever takes you seriously 'cause
they always know inside you're thick.

- You can't get married or nothing.
- Who wants to get married? Shut up.

What are you lot still hanging about
for? Get lost, the pair of you.

- You heard, scram.
- Scram yourself, you fat git.

You had to say it. You had to say it.

Alright son, coast is clear.

Go on, off you get. I want to go home.

They'll get bored soon enough.

On Friday,
we didn't do anything all day. Nothing.

The teacher came into the classroom
after assembly for about ten seconds.

We just sat all morning doing nothing.

Well, come on, it can't be that bad.
What about the other children?

They make animal noises.
It's so boring.

Well, you used to say your last school
was boring.

Yeah, but this isn't even a school.

It's not a school if the teachers
don't teach you anything.

What are you two chatting about?
Why haven't you laid the table?

Kingsley, go upstairs and finish tidy
your room. I tell you before.

Mummy, I'm really worried
about Kingsley's new school.

What you know about Kingsley's
new school?

You take down the hem of that skirt
and make it the right length.

And before you go to bed tonight bring
down that skirt and let me see it.

But I decided to do it on fashion.
You know, like my kind of fashion.

But I had to team up with someone,
so I had to do it with Beverley.

She's not interested in fashion design,
but she doesn't argue with me.

Fashion.

Kingsley, I'm arranging for you to come
with me on Thursday. Meet Charlie.

I'm gonna bring you over to him
and he's going to teach you.

Why you twist up your face so?
Carpentry's a good trade. Good money.

Daddy, don't you think it's good to
stay in school and go to college?

School is very important.
But it's Sunday and we're at the table.

Well, what do you think, Kingsley?

What do you think about
Nathan Matthews?

- Who's Nathan Matthews?
- What did I just say? I had enough...

Stephie, go get the Mauby
from the fridge.

Hello, I'm sorry if I gave you a shock.

I've been waiting here for five minutes
for someone to let me in.

Wait a minute, where are you off to?

I'm not a teacher. Don't worry, I won't
tell anyone if you can help me.

- What's your name?
- Kingsley.

- Kingsley, what's your surname?
- Why?

I'm interested in names, I suppose.
But you are right to ask.

Shall we go back inside?

- What school were you at before?
- Bygate Hill.

- I know it. That's a long way away.
- Yeah, it's rubbish. But I don't mind.

- What's your name again?
- Hazel Lewis.

- Now, I better find the Headmaster.
- He isn't in today.

- He wasn't in assembly either.
- I see.

Can you help me find the staff room?

- Where you been?
- The toilet. Everybody shut up.

No, you didn't. I checked in the toilet
and you weren't there.

Where is your teacher?

He never comes to class no more.
Sometimes he does.

Only sometimes. Dear, dear.

I think everyone should sit back down
now, please.

- Are you a teacher?
- I was a teacher, yes.

Not here, but back home in
British yGuiana, I was.

I'm a psychologist now.

Can anyone tell me
what a psychologist is?

- I hate psychologists.
- So do I.

I am disappointed.
What about teachers?

- Do you hate them too?
- Yeah, they suck.

- And what is your name?
- Nina Edmunds, Miss. Who are you?

Call me Hazel.

Do I know your mummy?
What's her name?

- Jemima.
- Jemima Edmunds... Yes.

- Are you black?
- Of course I am.

She's definitely black.
Like I am and you are as well.

- I'm not.
- You are.

Nina,

I can't speak for you, but I do
know that I am definitely black.

I am black and I love being black.

But first I need to know. I need
everybody to tell me your names.

Your full names,
and your old schools and...

- And everybody's parents' names.
- And yes, Kingsley Smith, that too.

Suspiciously quiet in here.

What are you doing here? We've been
round the houses looking for you.

You were supposed to come to the staff
room, not speak to the bloody children.

- Excuse me, Mr...
- That's Mr. Baines.

Mr. Baines. Of course it is.

I was looking for the staff when I
found a room of unsupervised children.

Shall we go then?

Kingsley? What are you doing?

Excuse me?

- Drawing.
- Drawing what?

Drawing, Mummy.

You can watch television until
Stephanie come home. I have to go.

Mrs. Smith? I'm sorry if I disturbed you.
Do you remember me? Lydia Thomas.

Last time I saw you, I think, was at
my cousin's wedding in Shepherd's Bush.

- I'm sorry to keep you.
- That's alright.

I don't have any biscuits.

Biscuits don't last a minute
in my home.

I don't know if you remember,
but I used to be involved in politics.

I remember.

Yes, well now because of my children,
more than anything,

I've become more and more... concerned
with matters educational.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that some
schools in London are saying that

their academic standards are being
eroded by the West Indian children

in their classes. You see, the system
is already stacked against them.

I always tell my children they have to
work harder to overcome such things.

But when the system is designed to go
against them,

sometimes it doesn't matter how hard
they try.

The system wants them to fail.

The organisation I work for is trying

to do something about these extra
challenges that our children face.

That's very good for you, but I don't
see what that's got to do with me?

Beg your pardon.

It's just that we understand that your
son, Kingsley,

now attends Durrants school.

How do you know that?

We've set up a small organisation to
try and find out the names of

the children who've been sent
to these schools.

Sometimes we go into the schools to try
and get this information.

So that we can come and speak directly
to the parents.

Like my colleague, Hazel Lewis,
who met Kingsley.

Kingsley has settled in just fine.

I don't remember the last time
I hear him complain about school.

Well, that can be quite common
in Kingsley's age group.

Especially under such difficult
circumstances...

Kingsley don't know about difficult.
He's a child. He's just at school.

But that's just it. It's not a school.

Well, or at least not one any of us
would recognise.

There's this book by Bernard Coard,
a Grenadian,

will explain better than me...

The Inner London Education Authority
has a policy

of targeting our children.

What is this all about?
Why are you here?

We are here to try and get Kingsley
back into the regular school system.

- Now you might be able to appeal...
- This is what I am trying to tell you.

Kingsley do have some issue,
but it's a special school.

I don't mean to upset you, Agnes.

But there's nothing special about
his school.

I can take a look at this
after you've left.

But if you'll excuse me, Mrs. Thomas,
I have to get ready for work.

Please know my intentions are not to...

I'll leave this here for you and also a
note about a meeting at the town hall

for parents of children sent to
Educationally Sub-Normal schools.

- Educationally what?
- That's what they're called, Agnes.

Schools for the educationally
sub-normal.

If you'll excuse me, Mrs. Thomas.
I'm running late.

We have a network of Saturday schools
all over the borough,

which your son could attend.
I've written down my details.

Thank you.

BERNARD COARD

HOW THE WEST INDIAN CHILD

IS MADE EDUCATIONALLY SUB-NORMAL
IN THE BRITISH SCHOOL SYSTEM

There is a house in New Orleans.

They call The Rising Sun

And it's been the ruin of many
a poor boy

And God I know I'm one

Oh mo... my mother was a tailor

She sewed... she sewed
my new blue jeans

My father was a gambling man

Down in New Orleans

Now the only thing a gambler needs

Is a suitcase and a trunk

And the only time he's satisfied

Is when he's on a drunk.

Now mother, tell your children

Not to do what I have done

Spend your lives in sin and misery

In the House of the Rising Sun...

I got one foot on the platform

The other foot on the train

Cos I'm going back to New Orleans

To wear that ball and chain.

Okay, who wrote that?

It's the Animals, boys and girls.
The Animals.

Kingsley.

Tell me what's really going on at that
school. You learning anything?

Did you meet a woman
called Hazel? At your school.

- Did you meet her?
- Yes, Mummy.

She's saying that the school is not
treating you children right.

- Is that true?
- Yes, Mummy.

You know what? I'll cook you some roti
tonight. You like that?

Yes, Mummy.

Recently Roobarb was sitting
in the garden, thinking

how nice it was not having custard
grinning over the fence for once.

And the birds, scratching noises into
the summer air with their silly beaks.

And how nice it was having nothing
happening,

apart from wondering what would happen
next. When it did.

Oh, cringed Roobarb.

One minute all's well
and the very next minute all's...

There it is again.

What are you rambling on about now?

Enquired Custard, without even
bothering to look over the fence.

Earthquakes. Announced Roobarb.
That's what I'm rambling about.

Earthquakes, and lots of them.
Whatever you do, don't panic.

Shouted Roobarb as he careered round
the garden

warning everyone about
the dangers of earthquakes.

And in the event of one the dangers of
wearing damp socks.

Whatever that meant.

Custard dragged...

One of the ways in which the school
system thinks they can treat us

is that they genuinely believe we are
all a bunch of...

I don't know...
Cowhands.

They never assumed that the same
spread of intelligence,

professional careers,
white collar jobs, blue collar jobs

that you have in this country

we would have had where we came from.

I feel nothing but let down
by the system.

And not just the school system,
this whole...

blasted country system.

I came here with a dream
for my family...

And I'm ashamed to admit it,

but when my children bring it home,

I find myself hating them for it.

My own children.

And that just make me
hate this place all the more.

I don't have no dream to pass on.

I feel the sacrifice that you
have made, Mrs. Morrison.

But I have to believe that it is never,
ever too late for a child.

We know there are far too many of our
children

trapped in these schools
for the educationally sub-normal.

I refuse to call them special.

Don't make me laugh.

They say our children are there
because they are too loud.

Too slow.

Too unmanageable. Or too lively.

What a complete and utter nonsense.

Low expectations from primary
and secondary school teachers,

which I have seen with my own eyes,
in regards to my own children,

are part of the problem.

But as the Doulton Report,

a confidential government paper,
which has been leaked, proves

there is a deeply rooted
cultural bias

in these IQ tests.

As individuals
we face an impossible battle,

but we have strength in numbers.

As a collective we stand a chance.

So we need your help.

Without the support of the parents
our campaign will fail.

I am the mother of three boys,
growing them up in London.

I was horrified to learn them
call my eldest,

who have a strong West Indian accent,
them call him,

'slow as a slowcoach'
when him first arrive at the school.

That what them call him.

Now this boy could read and write and
do some basic arithmetic

when him three-year-old
because I make sure him could.

If a teacher think a child's stupid,
him start to act stupid.

That a bare fact.

I give up hope for him, my eldest. But
I won't make it happen to my other two.

Will give up my job if I have to.

So tell me, what me can do for them.

Send them to one of our supplementary
Saturday schools.

That's the first thing you can do now.

And they are free
for all your children.

For a one-pound membership fee.

I make no lie about this.
But I can't read, nor write.

Not more than my name.

It's too late for me, now,
but hear an old man out.

I am very concerned with these
educationally sub-normal schools.

But I'm concerned more with the truth
that the majority of our youngsters

going to these so called normal schools

are coming out achieving as little as
the children going to the ESN schools.

Me grandchild, he just turned sixteen.

And I discovered the boy can't read
or write good.

Now I did never go to school.
Not for a single day.

But this pickney spent
twelve damn years in one.

That's why we're here today.
To bring awareness to this.

And hear your voices and concerns.

We are here to solve this.

- Our future depends on it.
- Yes. Yes.

Next we're taking names of people that
you know are at these ESN schools.

The world will shrink for a new...

- Excuse me, we were watching that.
- I want you to be quiet.

I need to talk to Kingsley.
Stephanie, please.

- He's done nothing wrong.
- What's the matter then, Mummy?

I just want to...

I just want to hear you read.
That's all.

We're watching TV.

Kingsley. Read this for me. Just
read it. That's all I'm asking you do.

We were in the middle of something,
Mummy. Can you not do it later?

Kingsley, read what it says.

- Read it.
- Just leave him alone, Mummy.

Excuse me? No, not anymore.

Kingsley, you're going to stay here
until you try, you understand me?

No more hiding. Not me, not you.
I won't hide in my own home.

Alright. Alright, baby. Alright.

Ok. It's alright, ok?

Hey, you alright? You ok, baby?

- Esmond. We need to talk.
- I'm doing some sleeping.

It's Kingsley. His school.

A lady come round the other day,
her name is Lydia Thomas.

You know her, from Grenville?

She said she know all about Kingsley's
new school.

There's nothing special, it's a school
for children they call sub-normal.

Is what you mean?

She left me a book that explains
all of that.

Kingsley is not stupid, Esmond.
But he cannot read.

The boy needs to learn a trade.
Let him alone till then.

I went to a meeting at the Town Hall
for children like Kingsley.

- I said let him alone, woman.
- Listen to me, Esmond.

They are failing our son. The room was
full of people...

I said let it alone, woman.

I won't let nothing alone. Nothing.

My boy. My...

I want answers first, before you take
action. Why did you send him there?

- I'm very sorry, Mrs. Smith...
- Sorry? What are you sorry for?

Well, I'm sorry you've missed
the deadline for an appeal.

Deadline? You never told me we had
a right of appeal in the first place.

- It's in your son's interests.
- Don't lie to me.

You call yourself a Christian man?

You never told me the school was for
the educationally sub-normal nonsense.

- It's an official term.
- Official term?

Kingsley may have trouble reading,

but make no mistake he's a darn sight
more intelligent than you.

This will not be the last time we meet.
Let me tell you now.

Read me the thing.

I don't know if I trust this fellow,
Coard.

- Him make all sort of noise back home.
- Daddy. Just listen, alright.

The implications for a large number of
West Indian children

who get placed in ESN schools and who
can never "escape" to normal schools

are far reaching and permanent.
As demonstrated above,

the West Indian child's educational
level on leaving school will be low.

He will be eligible, by reason of
his lack of qualifications,

and his assessment as being ESN

only for the jobs which really ESN
pupils are able to perform.

Namely simple,
repetitive jobs of a menial kind

which involve little use of
intelligence.

Well, Kingsley can come and work with
me. Can learn him a trade an...

Daddy, Kingsley is very bright.
Just listen, alright.

This is what he or she can look forward
to as a career.

In turn,
through getting his poor wages,

poor housing and having no motivation
to better himself

his children can look forward to

a similar educational experience
and similar career prospects.

Read me the rest.

- Are you some sort of undercover spy?
- I couldn't do what she does.

I think at Durrants
I was pretending to be a journalist.

Interested in the good work of
the school for a newspaper article.

I wanted to meet the Headmaster and
trick him into giving me

the names of the students.

Unfortunately he wasn't so forthcoming.

But I was lucky to meet Kingsley.

Who, I must say, I was very taken with.
He's very tenacious.

I have to say thank you. To you both.

I am forever grateful.

I've read this book now.

Cover to cover, at least twice because
the first time I was very upset.

But, as I told Lydia, his old school
say I have no right of appeal left.

That too much time has passed, but...
This book mentioned that

I now have to write to the Secretary of
State for Education or something?

That's correct, yes.
A woman, named Margaret Thatcher.

She's only just been appointed.
So maybe we will have a chance.

I have to write to
the Secretary of State. Goodness me.

We will... advise you what to write.

I must say, Mrs. Smith,
I wish more parents were like you.

If we do nothing, nothing will change.

I am prepared to fight this
with every breath in my body.

- School on a weekend, it's so unfair.
- Yeah, life is unfair.

- Good morning.
- Hi, this is my brother, Kingsley.

Hello, Kingsley.
You just in time for breakfast.

- Go on then. See you later.
- Bye.

Ah, what about you, big sister.
What's your name?

- Stephanie.
- So you don't want to come in?

You don't want to learn about
Claudia Jones?

- Who's Claudia Jones?
- I don't believe you.

It is for young people like you why we
have our black history group.

Come and have some breakfast, man.
Come in. You can leave anytime.

Right, I am Mrs. Bartholomew,
but you can call me Tabitha.

I can promise you both you have never
been to a school anything like mine.

- Sixty.
- Seventy-two.

- Eighty-four.
- Ninety-six.

- A hundred and eight.
- A hundred and twenty.

- A hundred and thirty-two.
- A hundred and forty-four.

It's a draw. You're both excellent
at your times tables. Good for you.

I know my thirteens.
Do you know thirteens?

- Yes. Thirteen.
- Twenty-six.

No, thirty-nine. Huh, I win.
Thirty-nine, fifty-two, sixty-five.

But times tables only goes up to
twelve. Isn't it, Mrs. Bartholomew?

No, it don't.
It goes all the way up to twenty.

Actually, Baz... thank you...
It goes up and up and up

and just keeps going until only the
finest brains in the land can keep up.

Like a rocket out of our solar system.
All the way to infinity.

Now there's a clever young man. Hey.

To infinity. Imagine that.

I'm very impressed, Kingsley.

And Ashley, the school syllabus only
goes up to twelve,

which is what we concentrate on here,

so that you can do well in school and
come out with the best grades you can.

Right, before we start I have three
sausages left. Who's still hungry?

I'll have to get more sausages
next week.

Now if I cut them in half
how many will that make?

- Six.
- Good. Into quarters?

- Twelve.
- Correct.

But who wants a quarter of a sausage.

I don't think so.

- Is everybody ready?
- Yes.

Good. Well, I want to start with
a little story before we begin.

Now, I went to school in Grenada,

but I didn't learn very much about
Africa, or its history.

What do you all know about
our ancestors?

- Yes.
- That we were slaves.

That is what they want us to know.
Did they teach you anything else?

What about the Nubians? The Masai?
The kingdom of Kush.

So you know nothing about the people,
or the richness of the cultures,

or the fact that we existed long before
anybody else.

Well, this is where we begin.

KINGS AND QUEENS OF AFRICA
FOR CHILDREN

Stephanie, read for me, please.

Open your book.

Queen Amina of Zaria.

Amina lived over four hundred years ago
in a place called Zaria,

which we now know as Nigeria.

Although she was a Princess,
she was brought up to be a warrior

because her tribe were always at war
with their neighbours.

She was born in the 16th century
and her parents were King and Queen.

She had brothers and a younger sister,
Zariya.

Amina was the favourite child
of their grandfather,

who was a very wise and powerful King.
And when she was little

he would talk to her about
how to be a strong military leader.

She never ex, expected

to be Queen but her

older brother died une, une...

Unexpectedly.

Unexpectedly, and so

she became Queen
and had to lead her tribe into war.

A war which la...

lasted nearly thirty-five years.

And during which

stories about this wonderf...
Wonderful girl,

who was a leader of men,
were told far and wide.

All the young men in the surrounding
tribes wanted to marry her,

but she turned them, and all their fine
offers of wedding gifts down,

as she did not need them.

Amina built walls around
the territories.

She owned a map of ancient Africa.
Sixteen eighty-five.

These walls which were intended to
protect all that she won in battle.

Territories, places and people

were made of earth and it took slaves
many years to build them.

Some of these walls still survive.

In modern days Nigeria
are known as Amina's Walls.

They are a lasting legacy
of a Queen who was feared.