Towards an Anti-Racist Classroom

Our two-part online training for teachers and school staff is a first step to tackling the complex reality around racism, how it is deeply embedded in our society and what action can be taken to counter it in schools. We begin by exploring the history of racism and how it continues to manifest in our world, and go on to build resilience to hold these uncomfortable but necessary conversations in order to take action. It is important to emphasise that the purpose of these twilights is to trigger conversation and provoke action, and that schools would need to do further work, including investing more time, to genuinely achieve change.

Part One: Teaching about Racism

In this twilight, teachers and school staff will gain insight into the history of racism and how it continues today. This session will enable teachers to:

Build understanding, skills and confidence to hold conversations around racism and its history in the classroom
Consider how racism continues to manifest in our children’s day to day lives
Explore activities that engage children in questions around racism, discrimination and what can be done to counter them
Receive a list of handpicked anti-racism resources and activities for the classroom
Receive a booklist of anti-racist literature for all ages from the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service

Part Two: Anti-racism as part of your classroom DNA

In this twilight, teachers and school staff will explore how to build and sustain an anti-racist environment in the classroom and across the whole school. This session will enable teachers to:

Build resilience to handle discomfort that may arise for self and/or children when holding conversations around race, with courage and care
Consider how to sustain an anti-racist environment in the classroom and across the school
Explore a range of materials and resources on managing difficult conversations and racist incidents (including among staff)
Receive specially selected further guidance for self-led deeper exploration