The race equality project, entitled ‘Living Together – Learning Together’, was a partnership between Chisenhale Art Place and Chisenhale Primary School. This was the third project co-ordinated by Chisenhale Art Place addressing racism in a Tower Hamlets primary school and the second project to be run at Chisenhale Primary School.

The project was managed and co-ordinated by Chisenhale Art Place, in consultation with the head teacher at Chisenhale Primary school and a year 3 class teacher. Two visual artists and a writer were also employed to work alongside year 3 pupils. The external managers of the race equality projects also provided advice and guidance, as well as delivering an INSET for all staff on race equality, and facilitating a twilight workshop on writing the school’s race equality policy.

The project ran from May – July 2002, and the artists and writer were involved for a total of six weeks (one day a week). Additionally, days were also allocated for the preparation of the work, and also the installation of the artwork.

The external managers of the project, in collaboration with the manager and co-ordinator from Chisenhale Art Place, spent a day at the school observing the pupils’ interactions with each other. The aim of these observations and focus group discussions with the pupils was to get a ‘feel’ for the school, and identify any immediate ‘observations’ that we could make, in order to provide the school with some issues for consideration for the Race Equality Project.

The aim was not to observe the teachers and therefore they have not been included in the observations. We also have intentionally excluded any aspects of teaching and learning i.e. curriculum development, because we do not have any knowledge of the curriculum plans for KS 1 & 2. A brief report was written, which recommended that a multi-cultural and anti-racist curriculum, which identifies prejudice and discrimination through planned activities and resources, should be considered, as well as a staff development day, which would provide all staff with the opportunity to have a shared understanding and awareness with regard to race equality and anti-racism. This day and a twilight session took place in the spring term 2002.

It was decided to focus on Year 3 pupils, who would take part in a 6-week art and literacy project aimed at combating racism within the school. The project would support the National Curriculum, and the final artwork and writing would enhance the new school library. The external artists introduced the pupils and staff to their involvement with the project by talking about the life of Stephen Lawrence, the circumstances of his death and the issues surrounding his murder. During this introduction, the pupils had the opportunity to ask, as well as answer questions about Stephen Lawrence.

From this introduction, the ground rules for the project were developed and the theme ‘Living Together – Learning Together’ was introduced.

Week 1 Individual identity;
Week 2 Discrimination/Prejudice;
Week 3 Racism, feelings/responses;
Week 4 Literature, Haiku;
Week 5 Literature, Haiku, quotes;
Week 6 Cultural Identity, celebrations.

Upon completion of the project, the pupils presented written work in a school assembly attended by Dr Cyriac (who also gave a talk) from the Race Equality Council in Tower Hamlets.

The aim of the project:

To identify the manifestation of racism within the whole school community, educate the school about racism and provide training and guidance in the form of teaching, literature and artwork to combat this.

Objectives:
• To observe and identify inappropriate attitudes and behaviour within the school environment;
• To provide training to governors, teachers, staff, support and project workers about racism and race equality;
• To provide a 6 week art and literacy project addressing issues of race for year 3 pupils;
• To develop a Race Equality Policy.

By the end of the project year 3 pupils at Chisenhale Primary School will:
• Be aware of and understand the implications of the Stephen Lawrence case;
• Have a tangible experience and understanding of racism;
• Have participated in drama and creative writing; poetry, stream of consciousness, haiku, slogans and advice giving;
• Have designed and produced permanent art and written work based on the project to complement the school environment and raise the awareness and understanding with regard to race equality with all members of the school community.

The measure of success of the project was based upon monitoring meetings, written evaluation from the head teacher, class teacher, project class pupils and project co-ordinators and photographs. There was also a formal opening of the finished work.

• Additional comments included the suggestion that the drama workshops take place at Chisenhale Art Place.

The following learning outcomes were achieved:
Written work, increased confidence of Black and Minority Ethnic pupils, increased drama skills, increased confidence in presentation, increased ability to work together, increased understanding of issues.

• The materials and resources were adequate.
• The t-shirts and photographs were a successful way of documenting the culmination of the project. Video documentation would have been successful for future reference.

• observational day was very insightful for the planning of the project.

The final assembly, production of the big book and wall hangings were very strong, and the children appeared confident and informed when they spoke about racism.

The children were enthused and excited by the project; they were proud of the work they were doing and there was a strong sense of ownership from the children.

Specific content outcomes were achieved and the pupils developed drama and written skills.

The artists developed their experience of working within a primary school, and had the benefit of a previous evaluation when developing this project. They developed a positive collaboration by working together.

When co-ordinating future projects Chisenhale Art Place will:

• Allow a larger contingency in the budget.
• Find more space for the artists to work within.

 

	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