Betty Campbell: Mural to honour Wales' first black head teacher
- Published
Betty Campbell became Wales' first Black headteacher despite being told that this was "insurmountable" as a child
A mural is being painted to honour Wales' first black head teacher on the side of the school where she taught.
Pupils at Mount Stuart Primary School, Cardiff, decided to pay tribute to Betty Campbell MBE after learning about her legacy at the school.
Mrs Campbell became the first black head teacher in Wales at the school in the 1970s.
A statue dedicated to the pioneering teacher was unveiled in Cardiff city centre in 2021.
The statue was commissioned after it was found there were no statues celebrating women in Wales.
Teacher Shubnam Aziz said that it was the statue that inspired the pupils to come together and ask the governing body about having a mural of Mrs Campbell at the school.
Pupils decided to raise money for the mural, but Cardiff University is funding the artwork on the side of the school.
The mural is being painted by artist Bradley Rmer, who also painted the well-known My City, My Shirt mural in Cardiff.
Betty Campbell taught at Mount Stuart Primary School
Ms Aziz said: "The pupils are very proud of Betty Campbell, she was a pioneer in multi-cultural education and diversity and a founder of Black History Month.
"The children have learned about her legacy and being agents of change, they asked for this.
"Her legacy lives on at Mount Stuart and we are proud of her and how she dedicated her life to the school."
Ms Aziz said she met Betty Campbell herself when she was a student teacher and now, Mrs Campbell's granddaughter, Rachel Clarke, delivers anti-racism training at the primary school, highlighting the head teacher's ongoing impact.
Who is Betty Campbell?
Betty Campbell pioneered the teaching of black history in her school
Betty Campbell was born in Cardiff's docklands area, better known as Tiger Bay, in 1934.
She worked as a teacher first in Llanrumney and then, more locally, at Mount Stuart Primary School, where she eventually became head teacher in the 1970s.
As a head teacher, Mrs Campbell pioneered the teaching of black history and culture at her school, which she put on the school's curriculum decades before black history is set to be taught in all Welsh schools.
Beyond her career in education, Mrs Campbell was a county councillor for Cardiff's Butetown ward and was a member of the preparation committee for the opening of the National Assembly in 1998.
She was also on the race relations board between 1972 and 1976, a member of the Broadcasting Council for Wales from 1980 to 1984, a member of the Home Office's race advisory committee and served in many educational roles.
A SPECIAL SCHOOL: Behind the scenes at a school like no other
DARE TO DANCE: 'When I dance I feel like I can overcome anything'
