Just return to your own country!

[PlatoTheGreat]

This was said to dc1 at school
Apparently he had an argument with someone who then said 'Just go back to your own country!'
When dc1 pointed that Britain IS his country (he was born here, always lived here, hold a British passport), he was then told 'well your my needs to go back to her Ian country then' (I'm the one not British in the family. I'm from another European country. Being living here for 20 years, longer than my 'home' country)

Dc1 was clearly annoyed by the comment but didn't see it as a major issue.
I do wonder though. Is that worth reporting to the school, the same way you would report a racist comment?

[albertcampionscat]

Yes.

[PlatoTheGreat]

Who would you report that to?

[Balletgirlmum]

It is a racist comment. Report it to head of year/head of pastoral.

[PlatoTheGreat]

It's not racist though. Dc1 is white just like the kid who made the comment.
It is xenophobic though.

I'm weary to make a comment tbh seen the current political issues :(

[misscph1973]

Definitely report it, so that it doesn't happen again. I'm not English either. In a few weeks the pupil might think he got away with it and keep doing it.

[Balletgirlmum]

it doesn't matter thstthat are both white. It's still racist as in it was a comment against your ethnic origins.

[BeverlyGoldberg]

It is racist and definitely needs reporting.

I hope your child is ok.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

You need to report it.
I'm originally from Poland. I moved to the UK with my family when I was 5, to an area that is teaming with migrant agricultural workers. The local population made it clear that we were not welcome from the get go. I was bullied mercilessly it was a hell of a lot worse at secondary school. My teenage years were a misery because of ignorance and racism/xenophobia. Don't let that happen to your son. Nip it in the bud before it gets worse.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It is xenophobia and needs reporting. School should take it seriously - there should be a form for them to fill out about the incident.

[2ManySweets]

mybreadiseggy

Bet you're from Linconshire - Boston p'haps?

Xenophobia central. Horrid place.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

2Many
Close but not quite

[PlatoTheGreat]

Dc1 was quite nonplussed by the incident, clearly wondering g why I reacted strongly about it.
I told him this was NOT an acceptable comment, whether it was about him or about me. He clearly didn't see the problem and reacted as if the boy was just silly.

[branofthemist]

Report it. It's not ok and needs to be dealt with.

[bojorojo]

This type of comment and behaviour is not acceptable. It is probably learned behaviour from home and at the moment people are sadly focusing on "outsiders" as being the source of all our ills and this is now a legitimate form of comment in some ignorant quarters. This is the awful state we find ourselves in given the current political climate. Do, however, complain and a good school will talk to pupils about their behaviour.

[admission]

An interesting problem in that your son has clearly a mature sensible attitude to what has been said and that is to his credit. You obviously feel more strongly about it and I can understand that.
However radicalisation is a "hot topic" in schools at present and is certainly not just aimed at one particular religion, it is aimed at both left wing and right wing organisations.
It is important that the school know about this but not go over-board about it. My temptation would be to go in to talk to the senior leadership person with responsibility for safeguarding. Tell them that your son has reacted very maturely to the situation but that you believe that there is a need for the school to know that this is going on in the school, accepting that they can and probably now should not do anything about this specific incident.

[originalmavis]

I got told to 'go home' when the Scotland referendum was happening by a charming man from the Caribbean. Jesus, I'm from Glasgow, so never discuss religion, politics or football so it wasn't like a heated discussion was going on.

I'd mention it to the school but I remember hearing this when I was at school to a girl who had moved from the other side of Glasgow (and said 'jaikit' instead of 'jacket'). Kids can be obnoxious, and quite often are.

[PlatoTheGreat]

That's what I'm worried about. That it's basically children being obnoxious. And to leave it be because dc1 isn't fussed over it.

But then, with my adult hat on, I know that any comment like these done to someone if a different race would be considered racist and be treated as such. There wouldn't be any 'it's just teenagers been obnoxious'.

[originalmavis]

Your kid sounds great by the way.

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

I believe that UK law includes national origin under the definition of race. So yes the comment was racist and needs to be reported.

With our politicians playing with fire this sort of thing is going to happen more and more often

[pointythings]

admission nails it - it does need to be raised, despite your son's mature and sensible response (be proud of him ). The school needs to know this is happening and keep a watchful eye out.

[Brokenbiscuit]

I think it needs to be reported. Sorry you're having to deal with this.

[corythatwas]

Ds (exactly same situation) has been having the same problem, including a teacher going on rants about immigrants (in a subject that has nothing to do with social/political/geographical questions, so not part of a legitimate discussion). I wanted to report it, but ds (who is quite vocal) prefers to fight his own battles. Couldn't do anything without his cooperation so had to leave it.

[Grikes]

What the child didn't realize is that without the Poles in WWII. There may not even be a little England.

[GoldieRetrieversRule1]

What Balletgirlmum said. And yes, report it.