Teacher’s notes
Mary Seacole
Links to the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3 History
Students will gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between national and international history; between cultural, economic, military and political history.
This lesson would easily fit into schemes of learning on the following topics:
● Political power, industry and empire.
● Britain as the first industrial nation – the impact on society.
● The development of the British Empire, party politics and social reform.
● Britain’s Transatlantic Slave Trade: its effects and its eventual abolition
● The History of protest and/or civil rights movements.
● The lesson is also relevant to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural SMSC development
The lesson gives students the ability to be reflective about their own non religious beliefs and perspective on life, their knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s feelings and values.
It will build their understanding of the history of Britain from the earliest times to the present day: Especially how the actions and views of people in Jamaica have shaped this nation.
This lesson follows the enquiry question:
The structure outlines the historical context Mary Seacole was born into, before exploring how she put her passion for medicine constructively into practice, and the legacy of her actions today. Students have a chance to listen to the poetry of Lawrence Hoo and engage in extended reading. They then have the opportunity to interrogate a range of sources to answer the task questions.
Mother Seacole
When I ask most people to name a famous nurse from history Florence Nightingale is remembered while Mary Seacole is a mystery
Mary Seacole was a pioneering nurse and heroine of the Crimean war Who achieved so much its surprising that we weren’t taught more
Mary Seacole was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1805 At a time when slavery was still very much alive
Mary Seacole war not born enslaved she was born free Which enabled Mary Seacole to create her own destiny
Mary Seacole learnt nursing skills at the hands of her mother Who showed her that nature had many healing properties to offer
This knowledge of nature’s healing properties came from African traditions Which had been passed down from parent to child for many generations
Mary Seacole used this knowledge to treat lots of illnesses and diseases From cholera, yellow fever and malaria to just common sneezes
In 1854 Mary Seacole travelled to England to ask to join the British Army to serve as a nurse in the Crimean war be poor
The War Office refused her requests to join, due to their prejudice, they believed her skills would Mary Seacole faced many obstacles due to her race and gender But her will to help others meant that she would never surrender
Mary Seacole funded her own trip to the Crimea and set up a boarding house to help the sick From this base Mary Seacole would go onto the battlefield to treat soldiers who need help quick
Mary Seacole become known as Mother Seacole by British soldiers in Crimea They were so grateful for all her help and were always glad to see her
When the war was over Mary Seacole returned to England, where she was awarded several medals for her bravery
These stand as a record of what she achieved as a free woman, instead of living a life bound in slavery
In life we have people who give their all for others Like the unconditional love children receive from their mothers
Mary Seacole was one such person who fitted this mould That is why her story deserves to be told
Lawrence Hoo
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