'Teachers must be given the tools to tackle racism'

Calls are being made to increase training for teachers dealing with racism in the classroom following a rise in suspensions in Kent schools.

It comes as one young Kent woman opened up about the racism she experienced during her school years when she was "ganged up on" by classmates.

A leader of the head teachers' trade union and the chief executive of a national race equality think tank told BBC South East more could be done to back teachers in confronting racism.

The government says racism and discrimination have "absolutely no place in our schools".

Latest figures show there were 223 suspensions for racist abuse in Kent and Medway during the 2023/24 spring term.

That's up from 146 suspensions issued during the same term the year before.

Aaliyah Likuluta, aged 21, told the BBC how she suffered from racism as a teenager at her school.

"It was the most difficult time in my life," she said.

"I was ganged up on by some of my peers, and they were backing the people saying racist comments to me."

She took it upon herself to challenge racism when she became head girl.

"I got to a point where I said 'you know what, a change needs to be made and that change started with me,'" she said.

Dr Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, said: "Our research on specific subject areas like history, english literature and art and design shows time and again that teachers feel ill-equipped to talk about race and racism in their classrooms."

Ms Begum said many teachers avoid the race issue as they "are worried they will get it wrong."

She said: "Initial teacher education should require all new teachers to undergo training on antiracism, inclusion and diversity."

This should be considered "a key competency for entering the teaching profession", Dr Begum added.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "Schools do a huge amount to tackle racism and work hard to support pupils to develop positive and respectful relationships so that all students feel accepted and valued.

"However, we should always strive to do more, and we are calling for everyone working in schools to receive regular mandatory anti-racism training as part of the Keeping Children Safe in Education training."

The Department for Education has been reviewing the National Curriculum, and Show Racism the Red Card has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.

The anti-racism education charity is calling for teachers and other school staff to receive training on racist behaviour.

In Brighton & Hove, the city council introduced an anti-racist education strategy in 2021.

Measures including anti-racist training for teachers have already been implemented.

The council says the training has helped to give school staff a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the impact of racial harm.

Flo Sparham, a primary school teacher, is one of the council's anti-racist education advisers.

"Our approach is to support teachers to have a fuller knowledge of what race and racism is so they can adapt their own practice," she added.

A Kent County Council spokesperson said "awareness of the issues and access to support has increased", while Medway Council said in a statement that it offers "a range of support to schools, including training for staff, and support for Medway's young people to help them achieve their full potential".

A Department for Education spokesperson said its mission was to "break down the barriers to opportunity".

"Our independent curriculum and assessment review aims to deliver a curriculum that reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring all children and young people are represented," they said.

If you have been affected by any of these issues you can find support at the BBC Action Line here.

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