From both the 1:1 interviews and workshop days, a regular concern of some parents, staff and indeed pupils has been of their school becoming almost ‘mono-cultural.’ The general feeling has been that it detracts from the richness which a diverse school population can supply. Moreover, staff have said that the pupils do not have the opportunities to experience diversity at first hand, and this could often be detrimental to the children’s own sense of differences regarding religion/faith/ethnicity/cultural heritage.

The crucial first lesson for pupils is the difference between ‘me’ and others, an important step to understanding their own individuality. Although we can’t easily change the attitudes and behaviours of others, children and adults can learn that one person’s/group’s individual words and actions need not label us – or lead us to label others who are ‘like’ them. Pupils need to have greater understanding of how history and geography shape various aspects of culture. Schools within Tower Hamlets which are different could work together towards breaking down the barriers and misinformation.