Decolonising the primary curriculum, embedding diversity, and becoming an anti-racist school is a challenging and at times difficult process. Headteacher Laura McPhee describes how her school reviewed and reformed its curriculum, policy and practice


In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests over the murder of George Floyd in the United States and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black and minority ethnic people, traditional approaches to the curriculum are facing increased scrutiny.

Campaigners have called for a “decolonisation of the curriculum”. While this campaign is not without its detractors, some of its loudest supporters have been young people themselves.

It may surprise some to learn that it is not compulsory for Britain’s role in colonisation, or the slave trade, to be taught in the national curriculum. While pupils must learn “how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world”, colonialism is not referenced until key stage 3.

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