Headteachers from across Blaenau Gwent have attended an Anti-Racism Awareness Day in Abertillery Learning Community.
The day was a collaboration between Blaenau Gwent Council, DARPL (Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning) and Abertillery Learning Community.
The Heads took part in a professional learning session with DARPL, which supports school leaders across the Welsh Education system with outstanding contributions to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. They presented on how school leaders can be supported to enhance and embed anti racism across the whole school and curriculum. More on DARPL here.
There were presentations from schools on the good work they have been doing on anti-racism, from Abertillery Learning Community; Ebbw Fawr Learning Community and Coed-y-Garn Primary on the work of cluster schools in the Brynmawr/Nantyglo area.
All Blaenau Gwent schools work closely with and are supported by the Council with their anti-racism and equalities responsibilities and the day gave updates on the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan and the developing Anti-Racism Action Plan for Education, which supports the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.
Councillor Sue Edmunds, Cabinet Member for People & Education at the Council said:
“Blaenau Gwent Council and our school leaders are united in the message that racism or prejudice of any kind will not be tolerated in our schools or in our communities, and we are working closely together to promote diversity and inclusivity so that hatred will not win.
“Anti-racism moves beyond the promotion of equality and diversity and just ‘not being racist’, to actively opposing racism in all its forms, able to challenge and be advocates for change. Developing an anti-racist approach can take time, reflection and commitment and I know our schools are committed to fostering a whole school approach to ensure the best experiences for our children and young people.”
Lisa Thomas, Headteacher at Georgetown Primary School and Chair of the Primary Headteachers Group in Blaenau Gwent, says:
“An anti-racism policy, embedded in every school’s practice and consistent across the local authority, is the foundation of an inclusive education system. It was so useful to work with staff from DARPL and colleagues from across the Council to reflect upon our current policies, to share effective practices and work collectively towards building an Anti-Racist Wales.”
