Working Together to Tackle Racism in Our School Community
Unfortunately, as in any organisation, we occasionally experience incidents of racism within our school community. At Ellel St. John’s, we believe that in order the bring about the most positive impact, it is vital to involve our parents and carers, in addressing this issue together, as a school and as a community. Racism, in any form, has no place in our school. More information on our stance on this can be found in our Behaviour Policy.
Unfortunately, we don’t yet live in a world where racism has been completely eradicated and we regularly see reports of increased racism in various locations around the world including the UK. We are proud of the work that our staff have done with our children in responding to these unfortunate trends, including through our curriculum-based work, school trips and wider school initiatives.
How racist incidents are dealt with at school.
It is crucial that our students understand that racism is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We are fully committed to handling all racist incidents with the seriousness they deserve. Please take the time to explain to your child that if they are involved in, witness, or hear about any racist incidents, there are clear steps that will be followed:
- Disciplinary Action: Perpetrators of racist incidents will face appropriate disciplinary action in line with our school’s Behaviour Policy. The severity of the discipline will depend on the nature of the incident, but we want to make it clear that racism will not be tolerated in any form.
- Reporting Incidents: If a racist incident occurs or is suspected, it is essential that the school is notified. We expect students, staff, and parents to report these incidents to me, as the Headteacher, immediately. This ensures that the situation can be addressed promptly and appropriately.
- Parental Notification: In the event of a racist incident, the parents of both the victim and the perpetrator will be informed. Keeping parents informed is vital for a constructive resolution and to support the educational process in addressing these serious issues. At this point, we would also suggest and support a restorative conversation between both families.
- Recording and Monitoring: All racist incidents will be recorded and monitored. This is a permanent record that remains with a child as they move through their entire education. This record will also be shared with the Governing Body, and in turn the Local Authority, to ensure transparency and that appropriate actions are taken to address and prevent future occurrences.
We ask that you speak to your child about the importance of treating everyone with respect and ensure that they understand that any form of racism has serious consequences. By doing so, we can work together to ensure that our school remains a place where every student feels safe and valued.
Why is this work so important?
Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued while they are at school. As a community it is our shared responsibility to create a school environment where the values of empathy, respect, kindness, equality and justice are instilled in and experienced by our children. Not only does undermine these values, the damaging effects of racism can remain with its victims for a lifetime.
We take any incidents of racism very seriously. We are committed to addressing these incidents swiftly and appropriately, supporting those affected, and ensuring that all students understand the impact of their words and actions. However, we also recognise that the education and awareness needed to combat racism cannot be achieved in isolation. It is vital that we work alongside you, our school community, to promote respect, tolerance, and empathy in every aspect of our children’s lives.
We ask for your support in the following ways:
- Reinforcing Values at Home: We ask that you have open discussions with your child about respect, empathy, and the importance of treating everyone equally, regardless of their background. We believe that the lessons taught at school should be reinforced at home, helping children to understand that racism has no place in our school or indeed in society. Please spend some time addressing this issue with your child. Information on how to talk to your child about racism can be found using the links further down this page.
- Open Communication: If your child experiences or witnesses any form of racism, please encourage them to speak to a trusted adult.
- Participating in School Initiatives: We have held a number of events in school to raise awareness around tolerance, justice and celebrating diversity including: our Book Share Morning which focused on the new texts bought for school by the Friends of Ellel that support Equity, Diversity and Justice and our Global Fusion Event. Thank you to all those who supported these important events. We would love to see your support and participation in any future initiatives. By joining together, we can help create a more inclusive and compassionate environment.
- Modelling Positive Behaviour: Children learn from what they see, and we ask that you continue to model positive behaviours around diversity and inclusivity. Let’s work together to help our children understand the importance of kindness and respect for everyone.
We are committed to making Ellel a place where all students feel safe, valued, and included. Tackling racism is a long-term commitment, and it is only through a united approach that we can make a lasting impact. We will continue to educate, support, and guide our students, but we need your support to ensure that these efforts extend beyond the school gates.
If you have any concerns or would like to discuss this further, please contact school.
Resources for parents and children
Here are some links you may find helpful to support you in having conversations with your child about racism:
Newsround has made several programmes which explain events in a way that is suitable for children:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52978346
Unicef website – talking to your kids about racism:
BBC Radio 4 – Woman’s Hour, 17/08/2019 – How to talk to your children about race and racism:
We have also included a list of suggested supporting resources.
Suggested resources for supporting conversations with your child about racism.
Books for children:
An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing
A is for Activist by Innosanta Nagara
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Big Ideas for Young Thinkers by Jamia Wilson (recommended for parents to read and discuss with children)
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Racism and Intolerance by Louise Spilsbury
Shades of Black – a Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney
The Little People Big Dreams series (Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks, Ella Fitzgerald, Muhammad Ali, Josephine Baker, Wilma Rudolph, Harriet Tubman)
Where are you From? By Yamile Saied Mendez
Books for Parents and carers:
Brit(ish) On Race, Identity & Belonging by Afua Hirsch
Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo – Lodge
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I am Not Your Baby Mother: What it is like to be a Black British Mother by Candice Braithewaite
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrice Khan-Cullors
Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise your Privilege, Combat Racism & Change the World – by Layla F Saad
Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
The Good Immigrant: 21 Writers Explore What it Means to be Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic in Britain Today edited by Nikesh Shukla
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Superior: The return of Race Science by Angela Saini
Other Resources:
‘Sesame Street Explain Black Lives Matter’ available to view on YouTube
Vulnerable Podcast: s4 Episode 002 Rhiann Barton on Unpacking My White Privilege on Spotify by Allysa Rochelle
Guardian Books Podcast: 26th March 2019 Why is it so Hard for White People to Talk about Race? Richard Lea talks to Author of ‘White Fragility’ Robin D’Angelo
Racism: A History Three part BBC FOUR series available on YouTube and Dailymotion
TEDx Talk “How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion” Peggy McIntosh at TEDx TimberlaineSchools available on Youtube
White Privilege: Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
Being Black in Britain: The Civil Rights Movement They Never Taught You article by Jasmine Botchey on Blog.thelappbrand.com
Pretty Good: Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup including podcasts and articles that have many UK crossovers
Social media resources:
@everydayracism_
@theconciouskid
@laylafsaad
@rachel.cargle
@sajdareads
@victoriaalxndr – follow the link in her bio to a large resource she has created
Examples of Google search terms: If you’re not sure where to start, type in the following questions and seek out definitions and articles, videos and current conversation
“What is anti-racism?”
“What is white privilege?”
“What is white supremacy?”
“What is Anti-Black Racism?”
“How to be an ally to Black people”
“Books on anti-racism”
“Books for white allies”
Inclusive Publishers of Children’s Books
