Can we talk about racism in schools? An IPA exploration of students’ experiences of racial and cultural discrimination.

This research explored the experiences of young people who have experienced direct or indirect discrimination due to race, culture or heritage, and their experience of support in their secondary school. It hopes to build awareness on a relatively under researched area within UK Schools and provide a space to hear the voices and experiences of young people. This insight into young people’s experiences can support the adults around the child to understand challenges associated with experiencing discrimination. Five young people, aged between 14-15 years old, currently studying in year 10, were recruited through secondary schools in inner London area and interviewed. They chose voluntarily to speak about their experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to consider experiences in which participants felt discriminated against during their time at secondary school. Participants were also asked to consider the support they feel is available and the effects of this, through a series of questions. IPA was used as the method of analysis in order to highlight their individual experiences. This research has highlighted a complex nature of racial discrimination in school and within the community. Participants noted how the subtle nature can make acts of discrimination difficult to prove, how these experiences can give rise to supportive relationships while straining others and noted the role of power within these experiences. They brought to light challenging emotions that arise as a result of racial discrimination and the lack of spaces available to share experiences and speak about these events in school settings. Participants also noted the importance of having a space to speak about racism and discrimination in a non-punitive way, not to assign blame but rather to open conversation, feel heard and create a dialogue where there is a sense of ongoing learning and shared understanding.