A PETITION calling for black history to become a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary school children may have failed to reach the magic 100,000 — which would have forced the issue to be discussed in parliament — but it is still a key subject on school timetables in Bolton.

Black history and the teaching of it fell under the spotlight recently thanks to Selma star David Oyelowo.

In an interview with the Africa Channel, the former Spooks actor, said: “I think it is more that important, I think it is invaluable.”

Turton School marks Black History Month every year, but it is more than that, say the school.

Teachers say that learning about world history alongside British history helps break down barriers.

History teacher Sarah Jones said: “Black history is integrated into many parts of Turton’s culture and curriculum.

“Some of the key areas are in key stage three, where students study the black people of the Americas unit, which begins with the origins of the slave trade, looks at the horrors of slavery, and ends with the struggle against segregation in the 1950s and 1960s.”

She added: “We also take pride in the fact that many cultures are woven into topics that students study.

“They learn about the key events of British history and how they link to the wider world that they live in.

“For example, year 8 students study the history of the British Empire, in which they have the opportunity to understand the positive and negative effects of a global power.

"This covers the impact on people in Britain, as well as the fight for Indian and African colonies' independence from British colonial rule.”

A large feature of the school’s A-level history coursework is the civil rights movement in the USA.

This includes a 3,500-word essay, which challenges students to assess the factors that create change in the fight for civil rights between 1860 and 1980.

Miss Jones said: “Such an in-depth study encourages our students to investigate many activists; from those at the top such as Lincoln and LB Johnson, to grass roots activists such as Booker T Washington, Malcolm X and of course, Martin Luther King.

“It's a challenging piece, but one that really allows our year 13s to join the historical debate over who or what has been the most influential catalyst in the fight for equality in the USA.”

Olivia Presto, aged 18, said: “History shows how the world has been shaped today.

“Through history we get a better understanding of different societies and cultures.

“You find out about the many people who have helped bring about change — Martin Luther King, for example, did not do it on his own.”

Alyshia Cardiff, aged 18, said: “You learn about how many groups have brought about change — it is inspirational.”

A department for education spokesman said: “Black history is firmly in the curriculum.

“Individuals like Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks, plus Britain’s transatlantic slave trade and the migration of people to, from and within the British Isles are all explicitly mentioned in the new curriculum which came into force in September 2014.”