Students from Oxford studying for the equivalent of a GCSE in black achievement – created by a single white mother – have been handed their qualifications.

Sue Funge used her experiences as a mother to her mixed race son Rory to start Going for Gold, a course designed to teach young people of African Caribbean origin about their heritage — and encourage them to explore their own potential.

Now the group of 11-17-year olds has received their Open College Network certificates timed to coincide with Black History Month.

In February, Oxford Brookes lecturer Ms Funge was teaching four boys and girls from her home in Greater Leys. Soon news of the course, which encourages the youngsters to be inspired by figures in black history, had spread.

Now Ms Funge has relocated the ever growing free weekly classes to a donated space in Kingfisher Green, Blackbird Leys, and schools as far away as Bath and Bristol are working to implement the scheme.

Ms Funge said: "The course teaches young people to take pride in black history by understanding the important contribution black people have made in the fight for equality and justice. It also encourages them to take a look at other things, like body language, effective communication and managing emotions."

The course means that children as young as 12 can be awarded with the equivalent to a GCSE grade A to C. As part of the project youngsters were required to research a successful figure from black history and speak at the awards evening.

Among the favourite subjects were civil rights leader Nelson Mandela and Walter Tull, the first black footballer and army officer who served in the first World War. TV host Oprah Winfrey also featured.

Esther Tilani, 12, from Marston, decided to perform her presentation on Nelson Mandela and Dame Kelly Holmes as a song and two poems.

She said: "I didn't want to just do a presentation and I'm glad we got the chance to present it in a different way."

The presentation ceremony was attended by teachers and pupils from Oxford Community College, the Oxford Academy, the Cherwell School, and the Cheney School. Oxford Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel handed out the certificates.