How to talk to pupils about racism

Help pupils find the words and the confidence to have difficult conversations about race and racism. Get guidance on preparing teachers and pupils for these conversations, and find resources to support their learning.

Last reviewed on 27 January 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 40933
Contents
  1. Have these conversations all the time 
  2. Train your staff to be equipped to have these conversations 
  3. Start these conversations early
  4. Don’t take a colour blind approach
  5. Challenge stereotypes and prejudice in a non-judgemental way
  6. Start from where pupils are and encourage questions 
  7. Be honest about racism in Britain (past and present)
  8. Download and share our staff handout
  9. More resources to help you with these conversations

Have these conversations all the time 

This isn't just about ''not being racist'', it's about being actively anti-racist. 

Conversations about race and racism shouldn’t be limited to a big one-off assembly or annual Black History Month event – they should be taking place all the time.

Encourage staff and pupils to have these conversations in classrooms, in the playground, during pastoral times (e.g. form tutor time or circle time) and within lessons. These issues should be incorporated into your curriculum – find out how to do this using our anti-racism curriculum review tool.

There shouldn’t be anywhere or any time when these discussions are off-limits. 

Train your staff to be equipped to have these conversations 

If you don't feel comfortable running training yourself and you'd like an external organisation

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Also in "Specific equality considerations"