1. To appreciate and value cultural diversity, raise awareness and understanding with regard to discrimination and racism and how to work together towards ensuring race equality and prevent racism.
2. To improve the relationship amongst teachers, parents, children and the community.

This session aimed to:

1. Raise teachers’ and pupils’ awareness regarding other cultures;
2. Provide an opportunity for pupils and staff to work with people of other cultures from the community;
3. Enable everyone to have positive experiences of working together.

A Sierra Leone drummer and performer worked with year 2 pupils, and this focus provided staff and pupils with an opportunity to see and participate in African traditional music and dance. The pupils and staff found the experience very stimulating, because it encouraged all the pupils to talk easily about their own cultural traditions. The work produced by all the pupils was enhanced by the fact that the external artist was very impressive, had appropriate discipline and encouraged all the pupils in valuing and appreciating diverse cultures and traditions. It was particularly successful with the Ethiopian pupils and pupils with special needs – raising their self-esteem and confidence. Moreover, it created an opportunity for pupils to share and learn more about each other’s cultures and traditions. The pupils presented their own dances, drumming and drama to the whole school and this was well received by the other pupils and all staff.

Aim
To have the opportunity to develop a shared understanding and awareness with regard to race equality and diversity.

This proved to be an excellent session, and was well received by the teaching staff. The response from teachers was good because the activities enabled staff to discuss issues around race and definitions, and to reflect on and discuss their own perceptions and experiences with regard to race equality. The session helped staff towards drafting their own race equality policy.

A draft survey was sent to several parents/carers about their needs, and the school has altered the questions in this survey in response to the initial returns. An updated survey questionnaire has now gone out to all parents/carers. The head teacher will collate the findings and report back to the staff/governors.
This information will help inform the continued development of the race equality project.

The head teacher commented that staff were growing in their awareness with regard to race equality, and that the project has enabled her to be more aware and able to cope with all recent documentation on race equality.

The project will continue throughout the Spring and Summer Terms 2003.

The following two additional sessions are planned:

• 29th November 2002 – Putting an African Caribbean Perspective in the Curriculum

• 4th February 2003 – Staff development workshop

 

	Overview
	Bow School (Boys Secondary)
	Central Foundation School (Girls Secondary)
	The Cherry Trees School
	Chisenhale Primary School
	Columbia Market Nursery School
	Globe Primary School
	Poplar Partnership EAZ
	St Agnes (RC) Primary School
	St Anne's (RC) Primary School
	Stebon Primary School
	Swanlea Secondary School
	Thomas Buxton Junior School