Anti-racism education

Emerging from the Scottish Government’s Anti-Racism in Education Programme, Anti-Racist Breaking the Mould Principles have been designed to help educators, leaders, and learners understand what an anti-racist curriculum can mean and how to co-create sessions to explore anti-racism. Children’s Parliament is supporting the Scottish Government to explore children’s views and develop child-friendly principles.

The Dignity in School team together with anti-racism educator, Grace Dempsey, from Intercultural Youth Scotland, and multi-disciplinary artist, Khadea Santi, collaborated with two Primary 5 classes at Den’s Road Primary School in Dundee. What followed was an intensive exploration on the topic of Anti-Racism Education through the lens of human dignity and children’s human rights. During the first week of November 2024, children and teachers were invited to take part in creative workshops to explore themes of identity, culture, and belonging in order to review the the nine key Breaking the Mould principles of anti-racism education. Through a creative approach such creating sculptures from clay, creating maps of a peaceful world and photography, the children got explore and learn about how they interpret these principles.

The aim of the project was for children to gain a better understanding of key concepts to help them practice anti-racist behaviours and language in their daily lives. The nature of the subject can be sensitive and this meant that Children’s Parliament staff had to endeavour to create a safe and brave space to question and explore ‘why?’. At the beginning of the residency, we agreed with staff and participants that these challenging conversations were necessary to learn about racism and how to create a more tolerant and inclusive culture. We hope that with the forthcoming reports, resources and sharing of the children’s views on the principles, the work will inform and influence policy.

In addition to the in-class workshops, the Dignity in School team led a professional development training session for Den’s Road primary school staff on the topic of anti-racism education. During the session, staff had the opportunity to discuss real scenarios from their experience, exploring resources and tools to better understand the topic and improve confidence when faced with future racist incidents in their school. In parallel to our work with Den’s Road, we also facilitated monthly focus groups with children and adults from other Dignity in School local area partners. Rosebank, Our Lady’s, Glebelands and Cleppington met with Den’s Road to talk about their shared experiences of racism in school and community, and to reflect collectively on what could be done to improve children’s lives through the understanding and facilitation of children’s human rights.

The consultation culminated in a multi-media exhibition called Defending Rights, Fighting Racism. The exhibition showcased the work and the learning of the Den’s Road children as part of their anti-racism journey. Children presented to their school, families, and external guests – including local MPs, Education Scotland, Scottish Government, Scotdec, teachers, and programme funders. The exhibition included the children’s artworks, including their maps and flags, and a video manifesto describing an anti-racist school and community.

In 2021, Members of Children’s Parliament met with the Scottish Cabinet Ministers and discussed the need for anti-racist education in schools. Learn more about their call to action here.