Pupils claim discrimination at school
STUDENTS have released a statement on their experiences of racism at school, claiming black pupils are labelled as ‘gangs’.
The pupils, who attend Wright Robinson College in Gorton, shared their accounts with community interest company Kids of Colour, which helps young people explore race and culture.
A group of parents and students made the decision to release a public statement as they felt there was nowhere they could complain officially at the school.
Kids of Colour said some of the accounts of racism included the absence of black history in the curriculum, students being told they ‘look like a gang’ and black students being punished for having ‘unnatural’ colours in their hair.
In response, Wright Robinson College sent a letter to parents and carers with children at the school saying they will be reviewing the curriculum, in light of the debate surrounding the death of George Floyd in America.
The school has since agreed to commission an independent review of practice.
Roxy Legane, director of Kids of Colour, said she received accounts from 30 students, ex-students and parents, of all races, following a meeting on June 9.
A public statement was then shared with school governors and on social media, with a full report also due to be sent to governors.
A section of the statement alleged: “At break time, students have been told they ‘look like a gang’, to ‘disperse’ because they look like a ‘gang’ and after school, black students have been instructed not to wait for one another because they ‘look intimidating in groups’.
“This term has also been used in conversation with a parent about their child. Black students feel like they are surveilled at break time, which they feel is undoubtedly attached to how they are perceived. This ‘gang’ narrative is particularly concerning in a school with a schools-based police officer (SPBO).”
Headteacher Martin Haworth said: “We are very concerned about the allegations that have been made and take the matter very seriously. We have always been committed to ensuring all students are treated without discrimination and we welcome working with an independent partner to look at some of the wider issues around the concerns raised.”
A spokesman for Manchester council said: ”We are concerned about what has been shared including some specific allegations as well as other serious issues.”