Racial Equity in Education
Education should be an equaliser, with schools as places where every child has an equal chance to thrive. Sadly, this is not yet the case. We have listened to a diverse range of children, young people, parents and educators who have told us about their experiences of racial inequity within the education system. We are organising to build more inclusive spaces that foster a positive learning environment and support the well-being of students and staff.
Racial Equity in Education is one of our 8 campaigns in the Citizens Manifesto. As a national priority, Citizens UK is calling on the next Government to make change in three ways: a more inclusive national curriculum, supporting staff and schools to address racial inequity and co-designing reforms with students and staff.
National priority areas include:
A more inclusive national curriculum.
Students tell us that the presence and contributions of racially marginalised people are often not adequately reflected in curricula. We are organising for a national curriculum that better represents the contributions of racially marginalised people to British society.
Supporting staff and schools to address racial inequity.
We know that many racist incidents in schools and colleges are inadequately dealt with. We are working to introduce statutory training to address this and further safeguarding guidance to ensure zero-tolerance of racism.
Co-designing reforms.
We are engaging a diverse range of schools, children, young people, parents and civil society groups in an expert review panel to design, implement and review reforms.
56 per cent of educators have not received any anti-racism Continuing Professional Development in the past two years.
67 per cent of teachers, teaching assistants and school leaders admit to a lack of awareness about the effects of racism.
In 2022, 60 per cent of schools in England had an all-white teaching staff.
Why does it matter?
"Ensuring that all students feel represented and safe within the education system is paramount to breaking down societal barriers. At Dixons, we are intentional in prioritising anti-racism and racial justice. From ongoing efforts to eliminate bias in recruitment, to embedding large-scale training and accountability for all leaders and staff, to supporting heads of department across our Trust to decolonise the curriculum.
As a result, we have seen positive changes in perception and a growing sense of authenticity among our staff and students. But we cannot stop there. Whilst individual schools and trusts across the nation are making progress, there is still a lack of national accountability, leaving many young people and staff excluded. It’s time for the national policy environment to enable all schools to prioritise racial equity, ensuring that no individual is neglected in their educational journey."
Funmilola Stewart, Assistant Principal – Research and Development: Anti-Racism Dixons Academies Trust
What we have achieved so far
'Better Books' campaign
We have won increased spending on diverse books for Nottingham’s city centre library, following on from the success of our ‘Better Books’ campaign, which provided all Nottingham primary schools with culturally diverse reading books.
Anti-racism work in Tyne and Wear
We have worked with schools in Tyne and Wear to co-create a whole school approach to anti-racism, implementing the National Education Union’s Anti Racism Charter leading to changes impacting racially marginalised students, families and staff, and the wider community. This includes changes to policy and curricula, staff training and parental engagement.
We have also secured commitments from the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, to commission research into intra and inter regional attainment gaps experienced by racially marginalised school students and to convene a taskforce to address findings.
Driving student leadership
We have helped create anti-racist cultures in schools in Leicester by developing student leadership, with Student Ambassadors collaborating with the Leicester Education Improvement Partnership as part of a ‘Diverse Curriculum Taskforce’ and developing relationships with the Assistant Mayor for Education, to promote anti-racism in educational settings.
Resources for schools and colleges
Our free e-books are packed full of stories of young people and educational institutions winning change in communities across the UK. From big wins on housing and transport, to supporting migrant families and fighting racial discrimination, they are a must-read for anyone wanting to shift the balance for the better.