Some sociologists argue that research over almost five decades demonstrates the existence and impact of structural racism on the educational experiences of school students (Tomlinson 2008). The effects of this can be seen not only in poor academic achievement but also in the disproportionately high exclusion rates of (particularly) black Caribbean boys, the marginalisation of ethnic minority groups and the ‘symbolic violence’ delivered by an ethnocentric school curriculum.
Some progress has been made, of course. The introduction of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 requires all schools to have policies on race relations and puts in place strategies for monitoring and challenging racist bullying. The introduction of the citizenship curriculum, reference to ‘diversity’ in the National Curriculum framework and various government-funded initiatives such as Multiverse and citizED (web-based resources for teachers and trainers) are also potential tools for developing anti-racist teaching strategies and a more inclusive educational experience. This progress, however, is variable and uneven, and often painfully slow.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
