Racism at my son's primary school. What shall I do?

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It's a Catholic primary in a diverse area. All teachers staff governors are white Catholics. There are lots of kids from different backgrounds attending - Chinese, Muslim, Sikh / that's why I chose the school. But the school is seriously lacking in cultural sensitivity. They do not celebrate other cultures for eg they did nothing for Chinese new year. When I asked teacher why not, she said it's because they have an 'international evening' every year. I got the letter through this week. Inviting parents to perform a cultural song or dance and charging us 5 pound to attend! I'm really shocked. Then my ds violin teacher said to an Asian kid, 'we say sorry in this country' when he forgot his violin. I don't know what to do. I've moved to the area from London where they are much more advanced in these matters. But this is Birmimgham I am talking about - hardly a cultural backwater. Suggestions?

It's very small minded of them and bad practice. It is definitely unusual. But I don't think you can call the school racist because they don't celebrate other cultures.
A lot of our culture teaching is done through RE and a Catholic primary is almost certainly going to follow a Catholic scheme of work which tends to focus just on Christianity.

I'm afraid not celebrating other cultures in any major way is par for the course in a Catholic primary.

However what the violin teacher said was just racist and horrible and I would report them.

Inclined to agree with wombat, I don't think it's racist per se. My kids go to a CofE school and, whilst they learn about other cultures & religions, the focus is Church of England. There just isn't enough time in the curriculum to fit it all in.

Yes the music teacher sounds out or order, but do be wary of believing everything kids say (even I have to question my own, usually very honest, kids sometimes with stuff they've allegedly overheard). Plus, that isn't your battle to fight anyway, it's up to offended child's parents to pick up if they wish.

I, personally, would be very wary of reporting the music teacher unless you can be 100% sure that your DS heard correctly....

Catholic schools are probably less likely to celebrate diverse cultures than other schools, in my view. They will also have an agreed RE policy which covers what is taught in this subject . Do they have a policy on celebrating diversity?

I have looked at the Racism and Inclusion Policy at my primary school where I am a Governor and it states very clearly that children should report any racist incident, in or out of school. I do think that your child, accompanied by you, should report the violin teacher. I don't think your child should be encouraged to cover up incidents such as this and if you are pretty sure he is telling the truth, then see the Head together. It cannot just be left to the child to whom the comment was addressed.

I actually heard the violin teacher myself as parents attend the lessons. I was so shocked I didn't know what to say!
I think with such a diverse cultural population the school could do a lot better, Catholic or not. Surely as a religious school they should be showing tolerance to others. I'm so disappointed in them as they are so good in every other way. This bit really lets them down. A new head starts in the new year maybe I will raise it then.

Does the school have an Racism Policy? They should have and it should be on their web site. I didn't realise that you heard the violin teacher. I think I would have to say something now - but that is me!

The Catholic Schools I used to work with have quite an insular feel. By that I mean that their version of religion was paramount and other people had to fit in with them. I was never aware of any celebration of any cultural or religious belief other than their own. You will probably be aware of that as you walk around the school and definitely if you attend assemblies or the daily act of worship. You will almost certainly have a Catholic Head and the ethos of the school might welcome other faiths (to put bottoms on seats and fund the school) but don't expect any inclusive activities. I find it disappointing too but I would never, ever, send my child to a Catholic school I'm afraid. They are too narrow minded and indoctrinating for me! (I do accept not all Catholic schools are like this, but all the ones I am familiar with are).

If you heard it, report it. It is racist and is unacceptable. Not sure why the hesitation.

The child on the receiving end of the racist comment may not feel sufficiently confident to report it themselves, especially if the culture of the school allows such comments to go unchallenged.

The music teacher's comment was not on.

But the rest I don't think is actually racist. A bit boring not to celebrate various cultures but if it's a RC school they are probably busy with their own celebrations, there are around nine different events in a liturgical year if I recall correctly, which is a lot to fit in around actual classes.

But even if they're not celebrating various international events I think they should be mentioned or learnt about. Do they not study any other religions or cultures in Religious Studies or History or Music or Languages?

It's not as though Britain is the only country in the world with a Catholuc population.

Report the music teacher. It's blatantly racist and ignorant and has to be highlighted. Otherwise it will carry on.
The cultural eve sounds very patronising to me.
Apart from that it's an RC school. Events and celebrations are the RC ones only commonly. They school is geared up to giving an RC education. Almost all RC DC near us are white MC, Irish Catholic and a few other European families. I actively avoided the Catholic option for us as it would have been far too segregated for me

Just read your later comment - yes definitely need to raise music teacher issue. Don't let it spoil your view of the school too much....if its a state primary, then chances are the music teacher is peripatetic (i.e. travels from school to school) therefore isnt a direct employee of the school, rather the local council. So hopefully there isnt this type of talk going on with the actual school teachers.

Also, if the narrow RE syllabus is really bugging you, raise with HT and / or governors - they may well appreciate a fresh view on matters from a new to the area parent.

Since you heard the violin teacher say it then I'd report it too.

And this is why IMO, the state should not find religious schools. I'm sure the catholic church has plenty of money.

The violin teacher sounds a right knob and the ethos of the school wrt internationalisation is very poor. This isn't because they're Catholic, though. It may have something to do with it, but being Catholic doesn't make you racist.

I went to Catholic schools and my DM taught in them for years. All of these schools had celebrations for Chinese New Year, Eid, Diwali and Passover. There were lots of kids who weren't Catholic (or indeed white British). In RE, we learned about pretty much any major religion going. With the notable exception of Protestantism

The school should follow the agreed RE syllabus but Catholic schools can give this a very light touch. If you feel strongly about inclusivity, why choose a Catholic school? They do have to publish their policies on RE teaching and you can ask for it. Inclusivity too.