Handling conversations and preventing racist bullying in schools: A blog for school staff

Published

29 Aug 2024

The impact of the racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic riots that occurred over the summer has undoubtedly raised concerns among pupils, staff, and parents. Some pupils and staff will live in areas affected by the violence, they may even have been targeted or have parents involved in the riots, others will have seen it on the news or online and be concerned about what they saw.

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Schools can play a crucial role in and are legally bound to foster safe and inclusive environments where pupils feel respected and valued, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity. We hope this short blog post provides practical tips for school staff about how to handle conversations in relation to the riots and ideas for preventing racist bullying. Additionally, we’ve included a list of resources and references, including legal duties and guidance on preventing racism in schools.

Handling conversations about racism and preventing racist bullying in schools is an ongoing process that requires commitment from all staff. By creating a supportive environment, educating pupils, and taking decisive action against racism, schools can play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive society. Remember to stay informed, be proactive, and utilise the resources available to support your efforts in promoting equality and respect in your school community.

1. Foster a supportive environment for conversations

  • Acknowledge the events: Begin by acknowledging that the riots happened and that pupils might be affected by them.
  • Listen: Listen to your Muslim pupils, pupils who have immigrated to the UK or who are refugees, and pupils of colour to understand how the riots have affected them and how they would like you to approach the issue in school.
  • Encourage open and respectful dialogue: Be approachable and maintain a non-judgmental attitude. Encourage an environment where pupils feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Make it clear that all opinions are welcome, but hateful, discriminatory, or racist language will not be tolerated. Emphasise the importance of fostering a school environment where everyone feels included and free from bullying, and that it is possible to disagree respectfully without resorting to disrespect or discrimination.
  • Be prepared: Ensure you are informed about the events and understand their context. This will help you facilitate discussions more effectively and answer pupils' questions with confidence.
  • Use age-appropriate language: Tailor the conversation to the age and maturity level of the pupils. Younger pupils may need simpler explanations, while older pupils might engage in more complex discussions.
  • Reassure pupils: Avoid increasing their fears or causing unnecessary worry about the situation. Remind pupils that the are welcome and belong at your school. Explain that it is their right to be safe at school.
Student discussion

2. Promote respect and understanding

  • Encourage children to Choose Respect: You can use our upcoming free Anti-Bullying Week school resources to help begin discussions about how we can Choose Respect over bullying and how we can disagree without resorting to personal attacks and discrimination.
  • Educate about racism: Incorporate lessons about the history and impact of racism and Islamophobia. Use resources that highlight and celebrate the diversity of our society (see list of resources below).
  • Challenge stereotypes: Actively challenge racial and religious stereotypes when they arise in conversations or in the curriculum. Be aware if any pupils may be at risk of radicalisation and seek support for those pupils (see links below).
  • Encourage critical thinking: Encourage pupils to think critically about the information they receive, particularly online. When appropriate for their age, discuss the concepts of misinformation and disinformation.
  • Celebrate diversity: Ensure to celebrate that we are all different and all equal throughout school life including curriculum and activities. Organise events and activities that celebrate how we are all different and all welcome. This can help build a sense of community.

3. Responding to racist incidents

  • Immediate action: If a racist incident occurs, address it immediately. Take the time to speak to the pupils involved, understand the situation, and make it clear that racism is unacceptable.
  • Support the target(s): Offer support to pupils who have experienced or witnessed racism. This could include counselling, peer support, or simply a trusted adult to talk to.
  • Follow school policies: Ensure that all staff are familiar with the school's anti-bullying and behaviour policies, which should include specific measures for dealing with racist incidents.
  • Document and report: Record all incidents of racism and report them in line with your school's policies. This ensures accountability and helps in monitoring the effectiveness of anti-racism strategies.

4. Preventing racist bullying

  • Whole-school approach: Embed anti-racist values throughout the school's culture, curriculum, and policies. This includes staff training, inclusive teaching materials, and a clear stance against racism.
  • Engage parents and carers: Work with parents and carers to encourage them to reinforce anti-racist values at home. Provide them with resources to help them discuss racism with their children.
  • Pupil involvement: Encourage pupils to take an active role in promoting an inclusive school environment. This could include peer mentoring, extra-curricular clubs, or participating in anti-racism campaigns. Ensure all pupils are able to get involved including disabled pupils and those with SEN.
  • Regular training: Provide ongoing training for all staff on how to identify, address, and prevent racist bullying. Ensure that training is up-to-date and reflects current issues.
recording

5. Legal duties and guidance

  • Equality Act 2010: Schools in England and Wales have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups. This includes taking action against racism and racist bullying.
  • Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) – part of the Equality Act 2010: The PSED requires schools in England and Wales to:  
    • Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act
    • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
    • Foster good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

For schools in England:

For schools in Wales:

For schools in Northern Ireland:

  • School inspections: Ofsted (in England), Estyn (in Wales), and The Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland) inspect schools and consider how well schools promote equality and tackle discrimination. Schools are expected to demonstrate how they prevent and respond to incidents of racism and racist bullying. 

6. Tools and organisations for preventing racism and racist bullying

Information and support for staff

School or classroom resources to use or share with pupils

Organisations who work with school staff and young people

  • Anne Frank Trust: The Anne Frank Trust UK is a charity dedicated to using the life and diary of Anne Frank to educate young people about the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and hatred. https://www.annefrank.org.uk/
  • Solutions not Sides: Bringing the voices of Palestinian and Israeli peace builders to British schools https://solutionsnotsides.co.uk/
  • Bell Foundation: The Bell Foundation aims to overcome exclusion through language education. They focus on supporting EAL learners in schools, providing training for teachers, and conducting research. The Bell Foundation
  • Refugee Education UK (REUK): Supports young refugees and asylum seekers, by providing educational mentoring, advice, and advocacy. REUK
  • Coram Children's Legal Centre: Provides legal advice and representation to children and young people, to ensure they have access to education and support They promotes and protects the rights of children in the UK and internationally in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/about-us/

Other organisations

  • The Runnymede Trust: The UK's leading race equality think tank that works to improve race relations and promote social justice. https://www.runnymedetrust.org
  • The Race Equality Foundation: Promotes race equality in public services, particularly in health and housing, with a focus on children and families. https://raceequalityfoundation.org.uk
  • Barnardo’s – BAME Network: Barnardo’s has specific programmes aimed at supporting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic children and young people. https://www.barnardos.org.uk
  • British Refugee Council: Provides support and advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers, including EAL services, to help them integrate and succeed in the UK. British Refugee Council
  • Race on the Agenda (ROTA): Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a leading social policy think tank in the UK that focuses on race equality and social justice. Established in 1984, ROTA works to challenge structural inequalities affecting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in London and across the UK.  https://www.rota.org.uk/
  • Traveller Movement: Advocating for and working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to tackle discrimination and promote equality. www.travellermovement.org.uk.

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