I am writing to thank you for doing our Race Equality survey at parents evening. 61 people helped us.

Why it was so important to do this survey:

13% of our children are not White British. We all live in the same world and we are all different. We all need respect. We all have the same right to feel safe and happy.

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a single Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in April 2011. The duty applies to schools. The duty replaces previous equality duties on race, disability and gender.

The duty has 3 main aims:
‘In carrying out their functions, public bodies (such as schools) are required to have ‘due regard’ to the need to:

1. Eliminate unlawful harassment, discrimination and victimisation
2. Advance equality of opportunity
3. Foster good relations

At Parklands we have had too many incidents of racial harassment-name calling and so we wanted to ask for your help in making sure that we have NONE in future. We needed to know what it is like living in Seacroft and also, how much you know about how we are trying to teach our children to be tolerant of all people and how we deal with these incidents.

Results:

7 respondents have been insulted about their race, culture or religion in the community.
That’s 7 too many!

19 people have witnessed a racial incident in the community.
That’s 19 too many!

19 people thought we have racist incidents in our school. 28 people thought we have no incidents. 11 were unsure.

I hope that for those of you who said yes, you have heard from your children who have been home and told you? I hope that they have told you that it shocks and upsets us when it happens in our school? Sadly, some people who said yes will have heard that their own children have been victims of racist name calling. Can you imagine what that must feel like?

Some people said that they didn’t know, but that they hope not. Others said that they know it’s difficult to be totally free of racist incidents anywhere. It is difficult, but not impossible!

5 people said that they didn’t feel welcome in our school.
Again, we feel sad that anyone doesn’t feel welcome. Please let me know if you would like to talk about your reasons.

5 people have concerns about discrimination in school.
This is 5 too many. No parent should be concerned about discrimination in school. Again, please come and talk to me if you would like to.

6 people have said that their child has been insulted about their race, culture or religion in school.
6 too many!

Just about all of you said that it is important for children to learn about different religions and different cultures.
Great news but we’ll keep on teaching children about these things so that they learn to respect EVERYONE and help to spread the word.

What we need to tell you and what we will do next

• Every school has to publish their Equality information. This is available on our school website www.parklandsprimary.org.uk under the Equality red tab
• We listened to a group of parents before Easter and have already tightened up our Race Policy. This now includes information about how we deal with racial incidents.
• Racial incidents have zero tolerance in our school and come under our Behaviour Policy and Anti-Bullying Policy.

PLEASE come and speak to either myself or to Peter Fryer (our Equality Governor) if you are worried about racial discrimination, harassment or bullying in school or in the community. We both share a very strong commitment to promote equality and welcome your help in this. The local Police are also supporting us to stamp out racism.

We would also welcome the ‘good news’ stuff too – do you have lovely stories about how children get along with others? Children who go out of their way to help others? Children who always respect other people? Children who challenge racist behaviour? Please let us know!

Yours sincerely,
Mrs C Hindmarch