I can honestly say that I love the mission my company stands for; A humane school system
led by ethical school leaders committed to soul work, embodying integrity, social justice,
and equality to tackle local and global challenges. Yet, this mission constantly challenges
me, especially regarding matters of race.
Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, we have recently heard from Heads and other
senior school leaders about a rise in racial slurs and incidents of racism among primary and
secondary students. These disturbing trends necessitate more than a knee-jerk response. As
we perhaps witnessed in 2020 after the death of George Floyd.
Instead, they require a proactive and committed approach. This approach involves
significant inter-and intrapersonal enquiry by the UK’s majority white school leaders, who
undoubtedly hold both the privilege and the power to embed the behaviours, policies, and
practices that can help eradicate the various manifestations of racism in our lives.
As I have said elsewhere, this work is not easy, but it is necessary. It is necessary because
collectively, our profession needs to:
1.Address the Root Causes of Racism
We must engage with difficult questions that lack easy answers: Why is racism becoming
more prevalent in our schools? Is it the influence of external societal tensions, or are gaps in
our educational approach allowing such behaviours to fester? As educators, we must delve
into these questions and commit to meaningful actions that address the root causes of
racism.
2.Move Beyond Tick-Box Anti-Racism
Embracing anti-racism is far more than a procedural task; it requires a fundamental shift in
mindset, self-awareness, and a capacity to engage with soul wounding, both personally and
within our communities. School leaders must recognise that fostering an anti-racist culture
demands continuous effort, introspection, and dedication. It involves implementing policies
and nurturing an environment where young people and staff feel safe to openly discuss and
confront issues of race and equity.
3.Count the Cost of Inaction
Leaders in education must consider the ramifications of remaining passive in the face of
racism. Failing to act perpetuates a cycle of inequity that future generations will inherit. This
debt of inequity will only grow, burdening our society with unresolved conflicts and
deepening divisions.
The question is, are we prepared to let our children pay this price?
Engaging in Courageous Conversations
To equip ourselves to find answers, we must engage in courageous conversations about
race. From our work with school leaders, it has become clear that these types of
courageous conversations have three distinct hallmarks:
1.Soulful Enquiry and Personal Reflection
Courageous conversations about race go beyond intellectual discourse; they delve into the
very soul of our individual and collective psyches. For white school leaders, this means
confronting uncomfortable truths about racism’s historical and ongoing impact. It requires a
willingness to look within and acknowledge the psychological splits that have prevented an
honest reckoning with racial injustice.
2.Building Deeper Relationships
At the heart of these dialogues is the goal of deepening our relationships with ourselves and
others. By engaging in soulful enquiry, we open pathways to understanding and empathy.
This process is not only about healing societal wounds but also about fostering personal
growth and resilience.
3.Healing Societal Wounds
True societal healing can only occur when individuals commit to healing themselves first.
This involves continuous self-education, reflection, and action. As school leaders, fostering
an environment that encourages this healing is paramount. It sets the stage for our young
people to develop into compassionate, informed, and active participants in creating a world
where everyone can be seen, respected, and valued.
How will you decide on the actions you will take?
The journey towards creating equitable and inclusive schools is part of the vocational calling
for all educators. As the majority of the UK leadership workforce, white school leaders can
play a crucial role in this transformation. By engaging in courageous conversations about
race, committing to deep and ongoing anti-racist work, and fostering an environment of
soulful enquiry, white school leaders can help pave the way for a future where equity is the
norm, not the exception.
Our actions today will shape the leaders of tomorrow, and it is our responsibility to ensure
they inherit a world moving steadily towards justice and equality.
An Invitation …
On 1st October, 4.00pm – 5.00pm , Viv Grant, Director of Integrity Coaching, will host a
webinar specifically for Heads who want to lead race work with greater confidence and self-
assurance. Viv is passionate about race work in schools, and her PhD research focuses on
ways to enable white school leaders to claim their agency as anti-racist educators. Viv will create a space for individuals to explore related themes and discuss collaborative opportunities for building on race work that some school may have already started.
To book your place please register your interest here
