Anti- Racism
We are extremely proud that Orleans Park is a truly comprehensive school, and we are committed to being actively anti-racist. We believe that all students are unique and of equal value regardless of colour, culture, ethnic origin or any other difference. Upholding this vision and celebrating diversity is more important today than ever. Tutors, Heads of Year and The Zone are all contactable if students wish to discuss anything.
Work has already begun in starting to ensuring that the school develops an actively “anti-racist” approach. We want to share with you some of the resources that are available for students and families. Below you will find a wealth of resources for each key stage, including books you can read, websites to look at, as well as videos.
As a focus for Black History Month in 2023, AfC have launched its anti-racism pledge for all schools. The pledge is not a list of things to do, it is a steer on how we approach the work, and what our aims and goals are for all our communities. Sharing about what we are doing towards racial justice, honestly and openly, talking about the successes and the challenges and being respectful of each other’s opinions is a cornerstone of the work in Kingston and Richmond.
Over the past three years, the conversation has changed a lot, from the first responses to networks, conferences, and courses all focusing on how we can train ourselves and develop our racial literacy so that all our work is done through an anti-racist lens. Understanding the lived experiences of our school community around “race”, racialisation and racism is key. Listening to them, however challenging that may be, and learning how to move forward together, is what will ensure that our anti-racism work is effective. That is why this point is in the centre of the pledge.
Please take a moment to read the pledge which Orleans Park is proud to adopt to support our work.
AfC Anti-Racist Pledge
Key Stage 3 Reading List
- Somebody Give This Heart A Pen (Sophia Thakur)
- On The Up (Angie Thomas)
- Oh My God (Alexandra Stoppard)
- With The Fire On High (Elizabeth Acevedo)
- How High The Moon (Karyn Parsons)
- The Fastest Boy In The World (Elizabeth Laird)
- Ghost Boy (Jewell Parker Rhodes)
- The Life of Stephen Lawrene (Verna Williams)
- Black & British (David Olusoga)
Key Stage 4 Reading List
- The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)
- Boy 87 (Ele Fountain)
- Children of Virture and Vengeance (Tomi Adeyemi)
- The Poet (Elizabeth Acevedo)
- White Teeth (Zadie Smith)
- The Bluest Eye (Toni Morrison)
- The Colour Purple (Alice Walker)
Key Stage 5 Reading List
- So You Want to Talk About Race (Ijeoma Oluo)
- The Fire This Time (Jesmyn Ward)
- Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson)
- The New Jim Crow (Michelle Alexander)
- We Can't Breathe (Jabari Asim)
Useful Links
BLAM
Black Minds Matter UK
