What folks are saying about Ancestry Talks Events
Bristol Council Windrush Day event
ITV News: Legacy of Slave Ownership
BBC News: Announcing pioneering research
School Visits: KS3 Curriculum and Enrichment
School Visits: KS3 Curriculum and Enrichment
Just a huge thank you for your Black History speaker sessions this week, they were so informative, pupils really engaged and it helped put their learning into reality ... You have again confirmed to me that the route to teaching Black History is from the stories of resistance and triumph.
Oasis Academy, Croydon
(Online Session, October 2020)
Many thanks for your visit. The boys thoroughly enjoyed your Black history talk and presentation. I look forward to seeing you again next year.
“I just want to thank you for your work here. We really appreciated the time you spent with us and the feedback from the students was very positive …
Paul Crooks delighted Jewish Free School students with his speaker presentation of his search for his African roots. He graphically described how he went about his research and what he uncovered about the terrible history of slavery and his family’s place within it. This resonated with our students many of whom are involved in researching their own family histories with, in some cases, their own very sad stories of persecution.
…you really inspired the year 8 history students you worked with. We will hope to see you again at JFS!
Subject Lead - History
Jewish Free School, Middlesex
I know my year sevens enjoyed your speaker session. They were full of enthusiasm!
Head of Humanities
Blue Coat Church of England Academy, Walsall
“The assembly was truly inspiring and got the whole school talking. Each of the Y7 classes then had a Black History workshop with Paul on the finer points of family history research; the workshops generated so many questions for the students the Humanities department has decided to continue the subject as a Citizenship project.”
Hurlingham & Chelsea School
It was a real pleasure to have you visit us and thank you for your hard work! We all enjoyed the day and I have had very positive feedback from the staff involved!
Enjoy the rest of the summer and once we return after the holidays I will contact you again.
Holyhead School, Birmingham
We received some very positive comments from staff, year 8 history students, and also visiting parents.
Queens Park Community School, North West London
…he challenged stereotypes…even the normally silent students at the back were putting hands up to ask questions.
Deputy Head of Year 8
Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust, Brent
…our classes really enjoyed your sessions. The students certainly gained further knowledge of Black History, thanks to your teaching.
Head of History
Highgate Wood School, Camden
You may recall visiting Wexham School last Black Histoy month and working with our Year 9 students in the library for the day. It was a really valuable and positive day for our students.
I am emailing to ask … for a return visit in October.
Leader of History
Wexham School, Slough
I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the year 8 history pupils … hopefully, we can arrange something similar again.
Deputy Head of Humanities Faculty
Drapers Academy, Romford
I wanted to ask if it would be possible for you to visit the school again and deliver an assembly ... again .... Your previous speaker assembly was great, so if you could do a similar thing
Deputy Head of Humanities Faculty
Drapers Academy, Romford
Thank you for giving us such insight on Black History. The students and staff are still talking about how informative your talks were. You had the students engaged and mesmerised.
I will most definitely invite you back to Mayfield.
School Librarian
Mayfield School, Essex
Paul Crooks came in and gave a Black History talk to our year 8 history students, 12 and 13 enrichment students. He really managed to engage them with his inspiring story about searching for his ancestral roots. His description of the slave trade was effective and touching and I think the students left the talks with a whole new perspective on the topic. The feedback has been extremely positive. I am receiving requests for his books and there was a little queue of year 8 history students wanting his autograph at the end of the talk.”
School Librarian
Rivers Academy, Hounslow
“Paul – thank you so much for such a fabulous day. The kids loved it (they’ve been in at break to borrow your books – I need to get on to Amazon and fast!). I will be recommending you at the various librarian meetings I attend throughout the year.”
Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy, Eltham
Public Speaking Engagements
The audience was in awe of what he had to share and asked a lot of questions …
... still getting positive feedback from this event, people are asking when is he going to do the next one. It is nice what Paul Crooks is doing for the community.
Gillian McPherson
UNISON Birmingham Branch Black Members Group
Paul has an incredible gift for engaging his audience and weaving their experiences into the fabric of the inspiring work he has conducted …
Paul’s explanation of his peerless work to trace his own ancestry and the narrative he created from his discoveries blended seamlessly into a discussion of our participants’ lives and experiences in coming to and growing up in Britain, their memories in the community and their hopes for the future generations. There is such a power, poignancy and significance to Paul’s story that you cannot help but come away inspired and determined to uncover the hidden stories in your own ancestry. Paul has made a lasting impression on our group and as a result.
Rob Bennett - Archivist
Dudley Archives and Local History Service
I can honestly say that his workshop was one of the best of its kind I’ve seen…
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his talks and workshops to other archives. We feel very lucky to have worked with him this year and would love to do so again in future!
Rob Bennett- Archivist
Dudley Archives & Local History Service
It was a fantastic event! Thank you.
Hackney Central Library