FW: Freedom of Information Request – (open census) Headteachers & the Board of Governors Racism & Racist Apathy in UK Schools
O'Sullivan, Therese
Therese O'Sullivan
School Improvement Consultant
Leeds City Council
Mobile: 07891272106
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From: I resolve to challenge racism 2016
<dedcc...@owwwuk.info>
Sent: 24 May 2016 12:18
To: Broadgate Office
Subject: Freedom of Information Request – (open census) Headteachers & the Board of Governors Racism & Racist Apathy in UK Schools
Freedom of Information Request – (open census) Headteachers & the Board of Governors
Racism & Racist Apathy in UK Schools
Part 2 of the mindset of schools in the UK census 2015-2016
The suggestion that teachers are in any way racist understandably arouses very strong reactions from the profession and is often simply rejected out of hand as entirely unjustified and malicious. Since a profession of over a million people must, to a great
extent reflect the attitudes of society at large, there must inevitably be some teachers who hold explicitly racist views. Such teachers are very much in the minority. We have, however, found some evidence of what we has been described as unintentional racism
in the behaviour and attitudes of other teachers whom it would be misleading to describe as racist in the commonly accepted sense. They firmly believe that any prejudices they may have can do no harm since they are not translated into any openly discriminatory
behaviour. Nevertheless, if their attitudes are influenced in any way by prejudices against ethnic minority groups, this can and does, we believe, have a detrimental effect on all children whom they encounter.'
'The Interim Report rightly calls attention to racism as one of the significant factors bearing on the achievement of black children. We would go further and suggest that racism, in various forms, exists in our schools; that it affects the development of
all our children, and that one of the school's fundamental tasks is to prepare its pupils to live constructively in a multi-racial society. We believe that this is a priority for our schools. We would hope that the Final Report will give an equally central
place to an acknowledgement that racism exists; an analysis of how it works also how it affects children (white and black) and teachers. It has become conventional (and the Interim Report echoes this tendency) to speak of most racism as "unintentional". However,
we believe this is too innocent a description. Racism in fact has many faces - there is semiconscious racism, rationalised racism, covert racism, and many forms of silent collusion. It is important that teachers and heads understand racism in all its depth
and complexity, rather than allow themselves to believe simplistically that all racism in schools is "unintentional".
Despite reports like these being around for decades, there has been a delay in the support and training of teachers. Forty years on, schools have less implemented training mechanisms to facilitate effective comprehension of matters regarding racism and its
effects across the whole educational and societal spectrum. Teachers are left year after year disaffected by the nonexistence or lack of essential training in issues regarding race and racism. As stated this recognised problem has been around for forty years
and the question to be asked is whether schools have serious intentions of eradicating racism. Schools must have a system where this issue can be addressed with the sense of increasing urgency to meet legal requirements for the needs of students. |The schools
focus is to eradicate the contoured mass of dissemination procured by such a lack of systematic thought and action. Schools are failing to produce the necessary tools to allow proper and effective training of its staff in order to protect students and eliminate
the causes and core beliefs which foster racism within the educational system.
We believe knowledge is the foundation for human potential to exceed the ability to simply tolerate, but to embrace without the shackles of preconceptions.
If you are of the same ilk then please join us in our “I resolve to challenge racism 2016” Guinness world record attempt –
- The largest number of poems, thoughts or literary pieces highlighting racial harmony within education submitted by Teachers, Teaching/support staff: a Teachers Challenge & Fundraiser. Requested, written, collected, uploaded and on display in 20 working days from receipt of this email. From the minds that will mould this country’s future; The Teachers/lecturers in England and Wales.
- For the largest number of poems/thoughts/literary pieces each submitted with a £1 donation by Teachers, Teaching support staff, Lecturer and Educators, within the 20 working day window to support racial unity in schools (submissions can be anonymous).
- Any Teachers, Teaching/support staff, Lecturers and Educators who are unable to or have chosen not to submit a poem, thought or a literary piece and would prefer to make an alternative contribution, has the option to donate £2
- For the largest number of people/Schools celebrating racial unity on the same day (event date 16th December 2016).
-
All schools that had pressed the Join/Submit or Support us support you button/s before they received this email will have their donation/s returned, so it can go towards race related training courses for Teachers.
Please contact the Guinness Book of Records for verification T: +44 (0)20 7891 4567
Email: EM...@guinnessworldrecords.com pr...@guinnessworldrecords.com
Heading – The largest number of poems, thoughts or literary pieces highlighting racial harmony within education submitted by Teachers, Teaching/support staff, Lecturers and Educators: a Teachers Challenge & Fundraiser against racism & racist apathy in UK schools
Requests under the Freedom of Information act-
- Can you give an explanation as to why you have decided to take part in this world record attempt? Or why you have decided not to take part in this world record attempt?
- How many Teachers and Teaching/support staff do you currently employ?
- How many Teachers, Teaching/support staff will/will not be submitting poems/thoughts or literary pieces?
- When we sent you the first closed Census - Why did you chose/not chose to click on the support us support you option?
- When we sent you the first closed Census - Why had you chosen to research us, or not to research us?
- When we sent you the first closed Census - Why had you chosen to contact us by phone, or chose not to contact us by phone?
- With such low (to none) number of Teachers having any training in diversity or racism courses, what is your School’s 5 year plan to address this shortfall?
- Does your School believe that Diversity Training is essential for all staff and is essential for the benefit and support of all students?
- Does your School believe that courses such as Understanding Racism and its Effects, and unconscious bias, are essential for all staff and will be a benefit and support for all students?
- Does your School believe that Diversity Training negates the need for any other courses such as Understanding Racism and its Effects?
- How is diversity racism training disseminated to staff throughout your school?
- How is diversity racism training disseminated to support all students throughout your school
- How is racism training disseminated to staff throughout your school?
- How is racism training disseminated to support all students throughout your school
- Does racism or prejudice exist in the profession?
- If racism or prejudice exists in the profession, is your goal to eliminate it or at least attempt to reduce it? And How?
- If racism or prejudice exists in the profession, what positive counter measures have you implemented in the last 3 years (24/04/2013 – 24/04/2016
- What strategies and policies have been put in place to address and understand racism and prejudice in your school?
- Does your school recognise racism as an entity of its own rather than addressed as an act of bullying?
- How does your school implement this recognition of question 16, for all staff and students?
- Does your school have an effective system of reporting and recording incidents of racism?
- Does your school believe that an apology is sufficient to resolve any act of racism and If so Why?
- Does your school celebrate Black History Month and if not, why?
- Does your school celebrate Black History throughout the school year to promote positive reinforcement for all?
- How effective is the promotion and response to the celebration of Black History Month assessed in your school?
- Is your school willing to take positive proactive steps towards training in understanding and combating racism in school?
- Are you willing to submit an annual update on race related training for Teachers (other than Diversity Training) in your school or would you prefer we contact you annually under FOI?
This is an open sourced Census 2016 Mindset of Schools part 2. All replies will be posted and accessible by search engine box (type in name or part of the name
of the school you are looking for) or by scrolling down the list. OWWW is the first British Civil Rights organization dedicated solely to the advancement and fair treatment of Black British and the Black populace within England and Wales.
There was a small number of Schools (2.5%) that did not submit an answer to some of the questions requested in our last closed Census 2015 Mindset of Schools (part 1). We hope these were simply clerical errors and have re-sent requests to ensure we get the
most accurate results possible.
Attchments:
A). attached is “OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE” the winning piece on “Thoughts by parents on integration.” We hope it will inspire your fellow Teachers,
support staff and Lecturers to write inspirational, thought provoking, conversational, controversial, educational pieces as a beacon of hope for a liner, cohesive building block for racial harmony within our educational system and beyond.
B). attached is a sample of a written piece HOW TO COMBAT RACISM IN EDUCATION which could be used as a springboard to raise awareness of racism in education. It is the backdrop to potential learning tools sourced through us.
LINKS: - owww.org.uk
https://youtu.be/2opqiWxEvvk (is an uplifting video of co-operation)
How To Reply To Our FoI Request-
- If you have chosen to participate in the world record attempt, please submit your reply to our FOI and poems/thoughts/literary pieces to: - yess...@owww.org.uk
- If you wish not participate in the world record attempt, but would like to show your support and take the £2.00 per Teacher option donation. Please submit your reply to our FOI to: - donati...@owww.org.uk
- If you have chosen not to participate in the world record attempt and do not wish to support us with the optional donation. please submit your reply to our FOI to: - nosubmitn...@owww.org.uk
Thank you for your time and contribution to this important historical work
The information in this email (and any attachment) may be for the intended recipient only. If you know you are not the intended recipient, please do not use or disclose the information in any way and please delete this email (and any attachment) from your system.
The Council does not accept service of legal documents by e-mail.
Diane Leedham
The campaign has been started and the email sent by a Black equalities group. http://owww.org.uk
I don’t know them personally but they are based in Hampshire. There are a lot of grassroots groups challenging the issues addressed in the questionnaire - and rightly so.
I can’t say how/why they contacted one school in particular. Probably someone knew someone who had an email address!
Best wishes
Di
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