Racism and Cultural Diversity

• New lesson editor
• Citizenship
• Tutor Time
• +1
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

This lesson explores racism in schools - what it is, if it's a problem and what the benefits are of multiculturalism and celebrating each other. There are moments to have discussions and plenty of interactive tasks to get your students to reflect.

Instructions

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I have never witnessed or heard racist remarks at school.

Did that response surprise you?

1

Yes

2

No

LO: To examine the meaning, effects and issues with racism in school and society today.

What is racism?

"prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalised."

How would you define racism?

Appreciating Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is where a society adapts the trends, culture (including music and fashion), languages and practices of people from multiple ethnicities, countries, faiths and religions in one area.

The UK is one of the most multicultural countries in the world.

What things, originating from other cultures, do you appreciate?

Multicultural Britain

use this time as a class to discuss some of the things you recognised from your last task - did anything surprise you?

10

m

00

s

+30 s

Food?

Music?

Art?

TV?

Recent reports and statistics show that racism in UK schools is a serious and persistent problem, manifesting in racial bullying, institutional bias, and a lack of action on the part of school authorities.

Racism in Schools

Do you believe that there is a problem with Racism in schools?

Data from 2024 reveals a significant rise in racist incidents and exclusions in some areas, affecting pupils as young as four. 

Racism in Schools

Racism in Schools: the Facts

Widespread Racism

A 2023 report on racism in Welsh secondary schools documented students' direct experiences, including being told to "go back to your country" and being called racial slurs. In one case, a student said a classmate did not want to sit next to them because of their skin color.

Increase of Exclusions

Department for Education (DfE) figures from 2024 highlighted a worrying rise in exclusions related to racism in some areas. This included a 220% increase in suspensions for racist abuse within primary schools over three years.

Underreporting Issues

The true scale of the issue is believed to be higher than official records indicate. A 2025 BBC report noted that Scottish councils were not always logging incidents correctly, and that some schools may fear the effect of reporting on their reputation.

Peer and adult racism

A 2020 study by Mind found that over half of Black and Black British students and over a third of Asian or Asian British students had experienced racism at school, not only from peers but also from adults. 

Racism in Schools is a big problem.

Whether you see it, or want to believe it.

What could we do as a school to celebrate multiculturalism, and eradicate racism?