RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO RACISM

AIMS: Highlight the school’s responsibilities. Understand your individual role in challenging racism. Recognise racism and racist bullying in school. Understand what a racist incident is. Understand the correct procedures in responding to and reporting a racist incident. Develop a whole school approach. Over view of today

RESPONSIBILITIES: Schools have a legal duty to ensure bullying around race, religion and culture is dealt with in schools under the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The Equality Act 2010 – see factsheet. School’s Race Equality Policy & Race Equality Plan. Racial equality must be explicit within the school improvement plan. Plan for the implementation of a whole school approach to promoting equality objectives in REP. Estyn - Learning Environment - Promote prevention and elimination of oppressive behaviour including racism

RECOGNISING RACISM AND RACIST BULLYING

RECOGNISING RACISM & RACIST BULLYING Racism is when a person is treated less favorably because of their skin colour, nationality, religion or belief, or culture group. Racism can be direct or Indirect.

RECOGNISING RACISM & RACIST BULLYING The term ‘bullying‘ refers to a range of harmful behaviors, both physical and psychological. All bullying behaviors usually have the following four features: 1. It is usually repetitive and persistent. 2. It is intentionally harmful. 3. It involves an imbalance of power, leaving someone feeling helpless to prevent it or put a stop to it. 4. It causes feelings of distress, fear, loneliness and lack of confidence in those who are at the receiving end.

RECOGNISING RACISM & RACIST BULLYING The term ‘racist bullying‘ can refer to a range of hurtful behaviour targeted towards someone because of who they are and what they believe in, these include: Physical and psychological abuse. Verbal abuse - Name calling, insults and racist jokes. Making a person feel: Unwelcome Marginalised Excluded Powerless Worthless

RESPONDING TO RACISM AND RACIST BULLYING

WHAT IS A RACIST INCIDENT? Q. Can you explain what a racist incident is? “A racist incident as ‘Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person”. (Working definition of racism and a racist incident as a result of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, 1999)

ACTIVITY How would you respond?: 1 – Read your scenario as a group. 2 – Discuss what has happened and identify who is the victim / perpetrator and if there are any bystanders. 3 – Identify what would be your initial response. 4 – Plan your longer term action plan. 5 – Identify if there could be any red flags. 6 – Discuss if you would record and report the incident. 7 – Be prepared to share your discussions with the group.

RESPONDING TO A RACIST INCIDENT Initial Response: Take it seriously. Address immediately. Separate involved. Assure support. Take action…

RESPONDING TO A RACIST INCIDENT Taking Action: Perpetrator Victim Bystander Interview to assess their version of the incident and their feelings. Explain why the behaviour was wrong. Avoid shaming behaviour. Seek assurance pupil(s) understand wrong doing Obtain apology. Confirm why behaviour was wrong. Reassure and offer the opportunity to talk about it. Encourage the victim to report any future incidents Explain how incident has been dealt with. Make sure anyone listening or overhearing the incident knows the words and actions were wrong and unacceptable. Ask any witnesses they version of what happened and how they felt about it.

REPORTING A RACIST INCIDENT

REPORTING A RACIST INCIDENT Why record racist incidents? Demonstrates racism is not acceptable. Gains trust and confidence of pupils and parents. Without reporting incidents, racist bullying will continue to be unchallenged. Recognises patterns and training needs for teachers, pupils and school staff. It does not single schools out for having racist problems!

REPORTING A RACIST INCIDENT How to report racist incidents: Inform verbally and electronically to the relevant class teachers / tutors, senior management and equalities lead or appropriate person in the school. Complete your school or LA racist incident report form (log) and forward to the Equalities Lead and Head Teacher. Head Teacher reports incident to LA. Senior management will check recording log for any previous incidents. Equalities Lead should advise you on how to support the victim and perpetrator. Action plan should be put in place to ensure positive action has been taken. Education / staff training / disciplinary action.

REPORTING A RACIST INCIDENT Inform parents. Meet with parents. Future support / counselling. Work in PSE / assemblies or other areas of the curriculum.

REPORTING A RACIST INCIDENT How to report racist incidents between staff: Informal Discuss issue together / Mediation between the two members of staff. Use a friend or trade union representative, or a more senior member of staff for informal help. Formal In writing to immediate line manager. Investigated within the school by someone not connected. Head Teacher/Chair of Governors receive the completed. investigation report. Feels the complaint is valid - disciplinary action via Disciplinary Code for Schools. Feels matters can be resolved via further mediation / not valid - notify the complainant of their decision. Unhappy? Next stage of the grievance procedure.

FURTHER SUPPORT: Over view of today

FURTHER SUPPORT: Over view of today

FOLLOW UP ACTION: Over view of today

Any questions? Wales@theredcard.org www.theredcard.org @theredcardwales /theredcardwales