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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.

Updated
on 28 February 2025See updates
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. 

Think about different experiences of racism

Think carefully about what groups are represented in your school community, and what racism they could experience. For instance, pupils could experience racism arising from