Apologies: Mr Waugh

Chair: Henry Howeld

Topic: Political Bullying

The meeting began with words from Mr Leonard about an “event in which someone expressed their [political] views” was “heckled”.

It was questioned as to whether or not such instances are allowed to happen. The argument is that it is a choice and so a debate must be allowed to happen.

Henry questioned where the line was between discussion and bullying, and the setting.

Alistair made a point that people can use politics and free speech as something “to hide behind”.

Both Jack and Alistair stated that they are “willing to be discriminated against because of [their] views.”

Henry asked how students would be educated about politics in an unbiased way.

Ms Schuil made a final point about how some students may only say things in order to gain attention. The potential of wasting time of rabble-rousers.

This weeks minutes was translated from a piece of scrap paper written by Henry. All quotes are in reference to what Henry has written, not what people have said. – Emily Warr

New agenda items:

• A rise in subtle racist and Islamophobic behaviour has occurred since the Paris terrorist attacks. There seems to be a heightened awareness of the difference between people who are muslim and those who aren’t. This is contributed to by the media representation of muslims and conflating this with terrorists.
  • Media Representation – an assembly, add to enrichment. (Henry happy to pursue this) He presented an excellent suggestion about presenting three articles, all of which cover the same topic.
  • Jamal was concerned that assemblies aren’t the best means of addressing people’s understanding – particularly if they occur too long after the fact.
  • Miss Critchley said students would like tutor time to be used to raise people’s awareness of current issues (Henry has attempted this – Miss Critchley will assist with disseminating resources.
  • Young people are also afraid, but don’t want to admit it. There’s a need
• Emily’s List:

Matters Arising:

• The Womens’ group is going to be reconstituted.
• Lunch
• Marcel, Michael, Dominic – Miss Critchley, +co-opted teach

Last Week

• Possibility of the Women’s group merging with the Equalities group. SW will look into this.

This Week

• can we begin to read the incidents from SIMS again?
• Exploration of the term ‘That’s racist!’ This has begun to be misused by students and creates a problem. Could this lead us to think about positive messages within the school. We must be careful with the term ‘racist’ and begin to value/celebrate difference through education. There are apparently conflicting messages as to how pastoral leaders might have given guidance on how to deal with incidences of racism. Could we begin to develop constructive guidance to help deal with racism and give positive messages about people. Can students form the work work to develop a ‘Day of Difference’ that celebrates us all?
• Alistair met with N Atherton about developing a coherent system where the Equalities Group are in communication with the School Leadership Group. They have proposed a monthly meeting where Alistair passes on our priorities. Are we able to approve Alistair as responsible for our communications? Could we have two people do this? Nominations: Jamal’s, Alistair and Henry.
• Ms Prince, the school counsellor has asked if she can attend the group, are we ok with this? Yes.

Apologies: Ms Hayles, Dewi, Tobias

from last week

• historical unresolved racist incident – the meeting took place, but only Ms Wright and Alistair were present. They began working on a set of policies/proposals that the group would present to Senior Management. The favoured approach from this meeting was that there would be a meeting between students; their parents; a member of SLT. The teacher should not be responsible for making the initial phone call home and arranging the meeting. The sanction should be in line with how fights are dealt with, therefore carrying the same weight on SIMS. We have touched on a sensitive subject and it’s possibly the first time we have been met with resistance for the things we have asked for. Do also remember that your attendance at the group does not mean you must take part, but please show your support of you commit to a group.
• The Equalities Teacher Inset took place on Wednesday after school and was generally well received. There was definitely debate amongst the staff to the role plays produced. We also have been written a letter by Ms Lucking, which will be published on our website. We would welcome anonymous responses to the role plays performed at the inset. This will be hard and there will be backlash, but our response has often been to approach these situations positively.

Added to the agenda:

• reporting on the events of this week
• Using the term ‘racist’ inappropriately.
• when will we begin to visit Enrichment Observations