Schools set to kick racist bullying out of the classroom

Inspirational historical figures and football clubs are to be used to help teach children about the evils of racist bullying, under new guidelines to be published by the Department for Education and Skills.

The guidelines will suggest lesson plans, staff training and anti-bullying strategies all aimed at tackling racist bullying in schools. Proposals include lessons on the story of Rosa Parks and her role in the civil rights movement in the United States, and encouraging pupils to draw on the likes of Sheffield United’s anti-racism website, Football Unites, Racism Divides, to draw up their own code of conduct for eliminating racism.

A nationwide series of workshops for schools will start this month to highlight the initiative. Schools minister Jacqui Smith said: “No child should have to experience bullying of any kind. These guidelines will form a key part of schools’ compulsory anti-bullying policies.”