“The Race Conversation” Programme
A programme designed to support and inspire school leaders build their confidence and agency to discuss and address matters of race.
September 2022 – November 2022
If you want to explore how our “Race Conversation” Programme could support your school’s journey towards becoming truly anti-racist, click the link above to register your interest.
Context
Race is one of those topics that very few people find it easy to talk about. Conversations about race can often evoke a range of feelings and emotions; from anger, sadness, frustration, hurt, shame to many more in-between.
A common response is to divert the conversation, to discuss something else, so that feelings of discomfort can be assuaged and life can carry on as normal!
As commonplace as this diversionary tactic might be, it is unhelpful. Even more so in the context of schools, where our young people are looking to the ‘grown ups’ for guidance and advice.
Unfortunately, ‘How to have the race conversation’ has not been a constituent part of any formal training for teachers or school leaders. Consequently, we have vast swathes of the teaching profession who lack confidence in this area.
Many of these individuals profess to having Anti-Racist values, yet are stumped when it comes to putting them into practice. Because they have not yet learnt how to overcome feelings of discomfort and remain engaged in the race conversation.
That’s why we’ve designed our new “Race Conversation Programme” to support and inspire school leaders build their confidence and agency to discuss and address matters of race.
Programme Elements
The programme consists of three x 2 hour, online sessions, on the following topics:
The Race Conversation: Understanding the dynamics – Thursday 8th September (3.00-5.00pm)
The Race Conversation: Understanding factors that impact levels of confidence – Thursday 6th October (3.00-5.00pm)
The Race Conversation: Steps to increasing confidence – Thursday 3rd November (3.00-5.00pm)
Aims
The programme aims to provide a space for individuals to:
– Increase their understanding of the inter and inter and intra-personal dynamics of the race conversation
– Reflect on their own areas of strength, as well as areas for development and how progress might be made
– Consider their own school contexts and how to up-skill themselves and others in order to facilitate productive conversations about race
Benefits
’The Race Conversation’ Programme has been shown to help teachers and school leaders:
– Claim their agency in the race conversation and through intentional and conscious discussions
– Help facilitate greater bonds of connection, understanding and relationship with people of all races
– Confidently and effectively address matters of race in their school context
Programme Structure
Session 1
Theme: The Race Conversation: Understanding the dynamics
Date: Wednesday 7th September (3.00-5.00pm)
During this session participants will explore:
– Insights gained from personal reflections on the topic of race
– The emotional and psychological dynamics of the race conversation
– Common reactive responses to the race conversation, their limitations and how to begin addressing them
Session 2
Theme: The Race Conversation: Understanding factors that impact levels of confidence
Date: Thursday 6th October (3.00-5.00pm)
During this session participants will explore:
– Aspects of race socialisation and their impact on degrees of confidence and positions taken when engaged in the race conversation
– Personal frames of reference regarding race and implications for the race conversation
– The Drama Triangle and how it shows up in the race conversation
Session 3
Theme: The Race Conversation: Steps to increasing confidence
Date: Thursday 3rd November (3.00-5.00pm)
During this session participants will explore:
– What it takes to lean into uncomfortable spaces when having conversations about race
– Behaviours and attitudes that support effective dialogue about race
– The Winner’s Triangle as a tool for supporting increased confidence in the race conversation
If you are keen to continue your journey to becoming a truly anti-racist school, please register your interest below.
Programme Fee – £375pp
About Integrity Coaching
Racial Literacy Coaching will be delivered by an expert coach from Integrity Coaching. Integrity Coaching is the UK’s leading provider of coaching and leadership development services for Headteachers and senior school leaders.
The coaching team is led by former Headteacher, Viv Grant who has a wealth of expertise and experience on strategies for developing best race equality practice in schools and raising achievement for Black Caribbean Pupils.
Her expertise in this area stems from her own experience as a Head and past engagements as an Education Consultant for the DfE and the former National College for school leadership.
In the roles, Viv supported school improvement strategies linked to the achievement of black Caribbean pupils and co-authored related National Strategy Material.
To read Viv’s full story and what inspired her to form Integrity Coaching, please follow the link below: