Context:
At Drumchapel High School, we are committed to fostering an anti-racist school culture, where every young person feels seen, valued, and supported in their identity. This case illustrates how a small, collective effort from staff can make a significant difference in a young person’s sense of racial identity.
During a lunch break, staff expressed concern about a young Black girl wearing her hoodie all day. They suspected she felt insecure about her newly styled braids, potentially embarrassed or self-conscious. This situation reflected a deeper issue of racial identity insecurity that many young people of colour face, particularly in predominantly white school environments.
- Educators and leaders will investigate and actively challenge all manifestations of racism in everyday behaviours, resources, attitudes, practices and processes. (Principle 11)
- Educators and leaders will reflect upon their assumptions and biases, their racial and social identities and those of others, and consider the impact these have on their professional practice. (Principle 12)
Intervention: Later that day, I checked in with the young person. By that time, she had removed her hoodie, but I gently shared the staff’s concerns and asked if she was feeling okay. She explained that she had initially kept her hoodie on because she felt unsure about how others would perceive her braids. However, she noted that the positive comments from teachers throughout the day had boosted her confidence, and she was starting to see that her braids are beautiful. I also asked if she was aware of the anti-racism club, and she replied, “Yes, I’m going to come along at break and lunchtimes,” with excitement.
Collective Staff Support: This response highlighted the crucial role of staff in building a supportive environment for all young people. Every teacher she encountered that day made an effort to compliment her, which contributed to her changing mindset. This collective, school-wide effort demonstrates that anti-racist support comes from all staff members.
Impact and Reflection: The immediate impact was clear: the young person felt reassured and began to embrace her braids. However, the deeper significance lies in the cumulative, day-to-day interactions from staff that helped dismantle her internalised insecurities. This case also reflects the positive effect of the professional learning staff had undertaken on racial identity, led by young people from our anti-racism society during an in-service day. It’s a testament to how professional development can directly enhance the support offered to young people.
- Educators and leaders will demonstrate personal and collective leadership across the education system, both in actively promoting an anti-racist culture and in supporting people who experience racism. (Principle 16)
- Educators and leaders will safeguard against racism and discrimination, understanding those as a source of serious harm for learners, colleagues, families, carers and wider community members. Racism will be understood in the context of GIRFEC wellbeing indicators, children’s rights and human rights. (Principle 17)
- Educators and leaders will commit to continual personal and professional learning to develop a high level of racial literacy. (Principle 10)
- Children and young people will empowered to bring about new ways of being together in the world by valuing and promoting empathy, solidarity and shared humanity that is often disrupted by systemic racism. (Principle 9)
Moving forward, this case highlights the importance of continued staff training on anti-racism, particularly regarding racial identity development in young people. Ensuring that all staff feel equipped to support young people of colour is critical to fostering an inclusive school environment.
Next Steps:
- We will continue to monitor the young person’s confidence and participation, ensuring she has opportunities to explore and celebrate her identity through both curricular and extracurricular activities, including her involvement in the anti-racism club.
- We plan to enhance staff training on anti-racism with a particular focus on the nuances of racial identity development. This will build on the success of our previous training sessions led by the anti-racism society and ensure that all staff can confidently support young people of diverse backgrounds.
