Co-op Academy New Islington

Anti-Racist Policy - child friendly version

At Co-op Academy New Islington we are proud that our school population comes from around the world. We don’t think about our differences, and when we do, we celebrate our differences and treat everyone with respect and as equals.  

At Co-op Academy New Islington we know that our pupils will sometimes use racist language.

This is usually done in the heat of the moment, when a child is angry, and is not premeditated. It is the ‘easy’ option to comment on another’s appearance.

• It might be done through jealousy.
• It might be done through a sense of superiority.
• It might be done because of behaviour that is seen on social media and the news, especially in relation to footballers seeming to be acceptable.
• It might be done because of the influences and environment that the child may live in.
• It might be done because a child is new to the class.

We know that racist language can occur between all groups of children, however they identify themselves and others.

We know that there is racism in the world that we live in and that anyone can be the victim of racist abuse.

We understand the difference between being non-racist - a passive bystander, and being anti-racist - taking a stand.

As pupils, we agree to

• Take action - we will be anti-racist. We will not stand by.
• Call it out

• The victim will say ‘STOP - that is racist’
• The witnesses will say ‘STOP - that is racist’

• Neither the victim nor with witnesses will retaliate with further verbal or physical abuse.
• The victim will report this to an adult

As adults, we agree to

• Listen to the victim and take them seriously
• Take a clear statement from the victim and if necessary from the witnesses as well
• Remove the perpetrator from the scene and give them time out away from the victim in an age appropriate way
• Talk to the perpetrator - take this as a time to educate, through social stories, through books and through adult led questions and reflection time
• Ensure a Restorative conversation takes place between victim and perpetrator
• Inform the parents of both the victim and the perpetrator
• Record on CPOMS using the correct category, uploading victim statements and any other documentation from the investigation
• Teach about racism explicitly, through Circles, through our PHSE lessons, through British Values and through the Co-op Ways of Being.
• We will talk about it openly, challenge ways of thinking and use of vocabulary, and listen to our pupils and their experiences in and out of school.