Does anyone know what schools are supposed to do when a dc says something clearly racist?

[indigoballoon]

We've recently had an event that has deeply unsettled me and my dc but not directly related to my dc.

The school don't seem to be doing much about it but have now acknowledged something happened but are keeping quiet about exactly what. I know what happened and it took my breath away what was said by this dc.

I think the dc who was racist is at great risk of becoming a bigger problem in wider society with their views as they grow up which is leading me to even worse feelings surrounding how the school has dealt with it. When the school does (almost in this case) nothing, it feels like it gives out the wrong message, do this and you'll get a detention.

Are schools under any obligation to report racist events? The school have tried their best to sweep it under the carpet but what the dc said was unacceptable clear racism in the U.K. in this day and age.

I don't know the answer to this but I am watching with interest as a similar thing happened recently at my dc's primary school.

I believe the LEA should be informed

The local authority should be advised by the school

I’d ask them what their PREVENT strategies are and ask if they would consider this incident in relation to those procedures. You could also go to your LEA and ask them to review the schools actions in line with PREVENT strategy

You should look at the written school policy.
I would be very suprised if there is no specific policy on all the individual protected characteristic.
Any remark or action would usually fall under the general bullying policy but as your child was not the direct target you are looking at the general impact(?) as a safeguarding concern.
Part of the problem is that some schools will hide behing data protection while some genuinely can't explain what steps are being taken to punish the child involved.

As you have a specific concern you could contact the head of your childs year and see if the school are planning to dedicate any teaching around what happened. Unfortunately you will have to be a little diplomatic and focus 100% on how it effects your child.

Are schools under any obligation to report racist events?

No that was done away with in England. Also loads of schools are now in academies so are a law upon themselves.

And if you know any black, brown or yellow teachers they will tell you of the shit they have to put up within particular schools. (Lots of the racist events I hear about in primary schools actually come from individual teachers.)

If it didn't directly involve your child they can sweep it under the carpet.

If it did then it comes under bullying and so you need to follow the procedures for dealing with that.

You won’t be entitled to know about the consequences for the child that was racist. Or if their family are being spoken to about attitudes at home. There is literally no way the school would tell you as it is a confidentiality issue.
I know what you mean though, it’s a worry. How do any of us know if these things are taken seriously, or if policies are even being followed? Some schools are conscientious, some are not.

Wow @RedWingBoots that's craziness. So is it not against the law for dc to be racist?
I'm surprised. The dc said their parents say it. Hence why I think it's going to be an issue one day. And the schools given them a chance to cover it up.
They got a detention. The dc told others what their punishment was.

So is it not against the law for dc to be racist?

Most children in primary school are under the age of criminal responsibility.

Also remember this is the government who produced the Sewage Sewell report.

And the schools given them a chance to cover it up.

What colours are the leadership team? How experienced are they?

I dont know what the policy is.
But I'd have contacted education authority immediately for clarification and stating exactly why i required this clarification.

I had a bullying situation when DC was school age, some racism involved, and despite all my efforts the school didn't want to listen. I found the Headteacher obstructive. Id had enough and went to LEA personally.

I was never advised directly of outcome but within 2 weeks the Headteacher's attitude had changed so much you'd think it was a different person. I also got the feeling somehow via meeting with LEA, that there'd been at least 1 previous report although again, not said directly so I couldn't be sure

We have to do our best to protect our children in this system, to challenge racism whenever we can. 'Keep quiet for sake of your child's education' I dont see thisvas an option

So sad, isn't it.

Also what TheIsaacs said is a good strategy