November Assemblies | Facing History & Ourselves
Facing History & Ourselves
Teacher working with student in classroom

November Assemblies

Download our assembly PowerPoints for the month of November for use with Key Stage 3 and 4 students. 

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 or KS4 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 November

There are five assemblies available for use in November. 

Supporting Materials

Guy Fawkes Night 

What is Guy Fawkes Night and what are the legacies of this historical event? This assembly has been designed to help KS3 and KS4 students consider why Guy Fawkes Night is still commemorated 400 years after the event. This assembly informs students about the Gunpowder Plot and encourages them to consider how the perception of Guy Fawkes has changed over time, as well as the event’s connection to democracy. 

Remembrance

What is Remembrance Day and why is it commemorated in the UK? This assembly has been designed to help guide KS3 and KS4 students to consider what Remembrance means to them, as well as the wider significance of the day. Additionally, this assembly asks young people to question whose experiences we commemorate on the day and what role they can play in ensuring these experiences are shared with future generations. 

Anti-Bullying Week

What is Anti-Bullying Week and what should we do if we experience or witness bullying? This assembly has been designed to help guide KS3 and KS4 students to think about what bullying is, as well as what they may have experienced or witnessed. Whilst this is a topic that will have been covered in PSHE lessons, Anti-Bullying Week is an opportunity to revisit this important issue and to reiterate what should happen if someone experiences or witnesses bullying.  

Disability History Month

What is Disability History Month and why does it matter? This assembly has been designed to help KS3 and KS4 students consider what disabled people have faced in their fight for equality and human rights. Additionally, this assembly provides young people with information about key legislations and asks them to consider why these legislations matter.  

Islamophobia Awareness Month 

What is Islamophobia Awareness Month and why does it matter? This assembly has been designed to help KS3 and KS4 students consider what Islamophobia is and what they can do to challenge Islamophobia. Additionally, this assembly highlights the life of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmiwho to both celebrate his work and the positive contribution he made to society and to help counter the bias towards negative depictions of Muslims in the media and society. 

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.