#Spotlight: Southern Team visit Hawkedon Primary School
On Monday 3rd June 2024, Hawkedon Primary School hosted anti-racism workshop for all pupils based in Year 3 through to year 6.
Hawkdedon Primary School is situated in Wokingham just outside of Reading, Berkshire.
The workshop aims were to increase pupils understanding of what “Racism” means, to empower their knowledge on the history of racism and to enable them to become Active Citizens and to safely challenge racism.The workshop delivered, allowed students an opportunity to examine racism and discuss where we learn these ideas. Through guided discussion, students unpick racism, challenge stereotypes and were given effective tools to safely challenge racism and become Active Citizens!
One of our educators on-site, Gracie Swanson said,
“The children spent time learning about what racism means, the impact of racism and were given space to ask questions and share their own thoughts. The session, through our Culture Shock card game, introduced stereotypes to the children and show how they shape our worldview”
The workshop started with pupils discussing what racism is, defining racism before they explored how and why racism remains a problem in society. Next, they examined why people still demonstrate racist behaviours, where we learn these ideas with discussion on newspapers, social media, and how these influence us. The classes discussed the power of language, the historical context behind racialised language they may have heard in class, and why those words are inappropriate to use.
Jack Cunningham, another on-site educator added,
“The students today took their opportunity to examine and understand what racism is by asking some brilliant questions. Their curiosity and enthusiasm to learn provided a great setting for a wonderfully engaging workshop.”
To close, facilitators gave pupils effective tools to demonstrate anti-racism across their school. They were shown how to safely challenge racism, while remaining polite and respectful. Helpful tools, such as ‘The 4 D’s’ were given to students so they are well versed in challenging racism in a variety of situations. This gave them the platform to challenge, report, support while also promoting anti-racism and allyship across the school’s culture.
“A big thank you to those adults that came to lead – our children are much more knowledgeable about this topic now, as are the staff, which is great for our journey on racial equity.”
– Amy Cooke, Phase Leader
The feedback from Hawkedon reflects the success of the Southern team’s delivery:
“Children were very positive about Jack and how he delivered the session. He was very active and everyone got the chance to join in. Children learned about how racism impacts people and Jack confirmed what is racist and what isn’t. Jack’s presentation was very clear and he made you want to listen to him. Although the workshop was on racism, Jack also discussed other forms of discrimination.”
“After the session, the children all spoke about how fun the session was. We are currently reading a book with similar themes to the session and some of the children have been able to link their learning back to the session, using key vocabulary and examples that the leader of the session, Jack, gave us.”
If you’re in the Southern region and would like your school or organisation to experience one of our fantastic anti-racism workshops, delivered by top quality educators, email info@theredcard.org today!
For more information on what our Southern team deliver on, head over to our workshop and training page