Race equality and diversity

We believe that all children and young people are entitled to the highest quality education which enables them to achieve their best. The Equality Act 2010 sets out the law, rights and responsibilities around equality.

If you are aware of your child being involved in a prejudice-related incident, either as a victim, or perpetrator, you can make the school aware so that appropriate support is provided. This could also include incidents outside of the school gates, in the community.

If the school is aware of a significant incident involving your child, they should also notify you.

Key information

For pupils to learn effectively, they need to feel valued and safe.

The official definition of a racist incident, as proposed by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report (1999) is: ‘any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person’. We use this definition in Cambridgeshire and it can also be applied to other prejudice-related incidents.

Schools should have their own policies on dealing with racist and other prejudice-related incidents, as well as general policies on bullying. However, not all prejudice-related incidents involve bullying nor do they necessarily have a victim. The aim of these policies is to create an environment where such incidents are less likely to happen in the first place, but if they do happen, to minimise the impact on any victims, and stop the perpetrator from repeating their behaviour.

All schools and educational establishments are advised to record racist and other prejudice-related incidents and to report them to the local authority on a regular basis.

What you can do

You can ask your child’s school to see their prejudice-related incidents and bullying policies - in some schools this may be a single document.

You can also contact the school if you have any concerns.