How can I help my Primary School to support the Anti- Racist initiative in Wales?

As an educator myself, I know how significant the classroom is for completely transforming the minds of young people. Through helping them to think positively, look at topics from a different angle and establishing clear expectations on how we treat others.

Therefore, Race and Ethnicity can be perfectly inserted into the classroom and tied to respect and equality.

Imagine a rope that ties both of these topics together [race and Ethnicity & Respect and Equality] :

Now, ask yourself - How tight are these topics in your school?

If the rope is tightly secured, then this provides a clear connection to help children develop the right mindset to how we treat everyone - that the two topics coexist.

However, if the rope is loose, coiled and bundled up without any clear initiatives, or representation how can we expect to guide a young person towards an anti - racist foundation.

In other words - It is important for schools to educate young people on different Races and Ethnicities and explore the complexities of different mannerisms or cultural practices.

Helping young people to familiarise and understand those that may look different from them. This is a process that can help to refine any misconceptions and reinforce the notion that regardless of colour, country or background, we are all human - we are all equal.

We could start from minorities within schools/communities. Take for instance the Ukrainian community which have gradually increased in their asylum into Wales over the last 3 years. It is important to help young people to understand who the Ukrainian people are - this then builds a rapport and a familiarity.

To achieve this, schools could consider providing monthly dedicated lessons or assemblies which appreciate and celebrate a countries dance, craft, history and culture, helping to establishing who they are.

As pointed out in the BAME ed conference in the Senedd on Friday 21st February 2025 - We need to consider starting with primary schools to support the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan (ArWAP) initiative.

If schools would consider integrating representation of Minorities and acknowledge the Black Asian and Ethnic Communities, through the new curriculums which they are creating, this will directly support the ARWAP Goal.

How to achieve this? ... and where are the resources you may ask?

• Firstly, consider connecting with Minority families in your school to establish target areas.

• Secondly, sign up for updates on our Race and Ethnicity Toolkit [Click here to register]

• Introduce more BAME literature which helps to educate young people on different races, ethnicities [see book suggestions below]

• Attend the monthly meetings with BAME ed - held once a month in Cardiff and online. For more info, please click here

In turn, your commitment and drive to embed this into your school will allow the children within your Primary school to:

1. Help young people to familiarise themselves with other Races and Ethnicities

2. Build a connection and understanding which instils respect towards others.

3. Build on their own Cultural Capital through exploring new cultures in person or through technology and headsets (i.e. Augmented Reality linked to our toolkit).

4. Modelling to young people the importance of an inclusive platform which demonstrates respect to others through their own schools.

5. Building a sense of pride for minorities within the classroom and allowing this to be a regular occurrence for every minority child all year round.

Margaret Daniels

If you would like discuss how we can create a personalised toolkit for your primary school (focusing on minorities and other target areas) then please feel free to get in touch - info@timeforclass.co.uk

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