Responding to Issues

A practical guide for educators on how to handle racism, challenge discrimination, and support affected students.

Handling Racist Incidents

Your 6-Step Immediate Response Protocol

Stop it: Say clearly, "That's racist. Stop." Don't investigate first.
Support the victim: Take them aside and say, "That was not okay. I'm taking this seriously."
Address the perpetrator: Separately and firmly, explain why the comment was racist and issue a clear consequence.
Document: Write down what happened, who was involved, and the action taken. Patterns are critical.
Inform parents: Both sets of parents need to know what happened and how it was handled.
Follow up: Regularly check in with the victim to ensure they feel safe.

What NOT to Do

Don't ignore it, say "kids will be kids," or claim "they didn't mean it that way."
Don't blame the victim by asking why they let it bother them.
Don't treat racism as general "unkindness." Name it. Minimising racism teaches all students that it is acceptable.

Hair & Uniform Discrimination

Black hair is not 'unprofessional' or 'extreme'

If your school's uniform policy bans braids, cornrows, locs, afros, or other protective styles, it is racist and likely unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.

How to Advocate for Change

Raise It Internally: Explain to senior leadership that the policy is discriminatory and disproportionately affects Black students.
Support Targeted Students: If a student is disciplined, tell them, "I disagree with this policy and I'm advocating to change it."
Revise the Policy: Work with governors and parents to remove vague language like "extreme" and add explicit protections for all hair textures.

Supporting Students Experiencing Racism

Believe Them. The First Time.

Do:

"Thank you for telling me."
"I believe you."
"I am going to do something about this."

Don't:

"Are you sure?"
"Maybe you misunderstood."
"They probably didn't mean it."

Provide Immediate and Long-Term Support

Immediate: Validate their feelings, check in regularly, address the incident, and ensure their physical and emotional safety.

Long-term: Racism is traumatic. Watch for signs like withdrawal or a drop in grades and connect them with the school counsellor or a mentoring program.

Challenging Exclusion and Behaviour Policies

Exclusion Disproportionately Affects Black Students

If your school excludes Black students at higher rates, your policy is racist in practice, regardless of intent. Exclusion must be the last resort, not the first response.

Before Recommending Exclusion, Ask...

Would I exclude a white student for this same behaviour?
Have I genuinely tried all other interventions (e.g., restorative justice, mentoring)?
Could this behaviour be due to an unmet need like SEN, trauma, or a language barrier?

When and How to Escalate Concerns

The Escalation Pathway

Escalate when a student is facing ongoing harm, policies are discriminatory, or your concerns are being dismissed. Don't wait.

Internal Escalation: Start with your Line Manager, then Senior Leadership (Headteacher), then the Board of Governors.
External Escalation: If the school remains unresponsive, contact the Local Authority, the EHRC, Ofsted, or your teaching union.

Protecting Yourself

Advocating can have professional consequences. Protect yourself by documenting everything, joining a union, focusing on evidence, and finding allies. This work is hard, but it's necessary.

Resource Hub

Download the complete toolkits and guides to help you respond to issues effectively.