Below you'll find content suitable for use with both primary and secondary school pupils. Each resource is accompanied by teacher notes to aid classroom use.
When is South Asian Heritage Month?
South Asian Heritage Month first took place in 2020 and runs 18 July to 17 August each year.
You can use this collection of teaching resources to explore South Asian history, heritage, culture and achievements with your class.
Primary resources
KS1 English: The King Who Was Eaten For Breakfast. video
A beautifully animated tale from India about a Punjabi King who allowed himself to be fried and eaten for breakfast each day by a hermit, in return for being allowed to give unlimited gold to all his subjects.
KS1 English: The Story Of Wali Dad. video
A beautifully animated tale from Pakistan about a grass cutter, who is both happy and generous with the little that he owns.
KS2 Religious Studies: My Life, My Religion - Hinduism. collection
A collection of short films in which 14-year-old Simran and her 11-year-old brother Vraj explain the traditions and beliefs of their Hindu faith.
KS2 Religious Studies: My Life, My Religion - Sikhism. collection
In this collection of short films pupils can learn about Sikhism through the eyes of a young practicing Sikh called Simran (aged 11) and her family.
KS2 Religious Studies: My Life, My Religion - Islam. collection
A series of short films in which 12-year-olds Kaisan and Naeem and 11-year-old Sara explain the traditions and beliefs of their Muslim faith.
KS2 Assemblies: Malala Yousafzai. video
This assembly focuses on Malala Yousafzai - an education activist and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
KS2 History: British Asian History. collection
This series of short films tell stories of British Asian people who have helped shape British history in the last century.
KS1 English: Lakshmi and the Clever Washerwoman. collection
The traditional Hindu tale is animated in two episodes for 5-7 year-olds, and supported by worksheets and learning activities.
KS1 Assemblies: Sikhism - Values for living. collection
This assemblies pack explores two stories about Guru Nanak: 'The Milk and the Jasmine Flower' and 'Duni Chand and the Silver Needle', aimed at 5-7 year-olds.
KS1 Assemblies: Islam - Values for living. collection
This assemblies pack explores learning from the life of the Prophet; caring for all living things. Aimed at 5-7 year-olds.
KS1 Assemblies: The 5 Pillars of Islam. collection
This assemblies pack explores the 5 Pillars of Islam, building a good life and a strong school community, aimed at 5-7 year-olds.
KS2 Assemblies: Sikhism. collection
This assemblies pack explores Sikhism, Sikh culture and Sikh festivals. Aimed at 7-11 year-olds.
Secondary resources
KS3 Geography: Exploration India. collection
Three 13-year-olds go on a trip of a lifetime to explore the geography of India.
KS3/GCSE History: Gandhi. video
Andrew Marr describes how Mahatma Gandhi led India to independence during British led rule through a campaign of civil disobedience.
KS3/GCSE Geography: Climate Change - Ade on the Frontline: Bangladesh and Bhutan. video
In this series of short films for secondary schools, Ade Adepitan travels to places on the frontline of climate change to see the damage caused and how we can fight it.
Across the BBC
Teacher Support: How to be a better ally to your students - South Asian allies. video
South Asian students share their experiences of prejudice and its impact on their learning experience, and offer suggestions on how to support students.
BBC Newsround: The Partition of India - What happened? video
In August 1947, British India won its independence from the British and split into two new states that would rule themselves. The new countries were India and Pakistan. East Pakistan has since become Bangladesh.
BBC Bitesize: KS3 History - The end of Empire collection
Case study: India’s independence campaign
BBC Bitesize KS3 History: Post-war migration from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. collection
African and Asian migration
