Eighty pupils have signed a letter accusing senior staff of failing to stamp out alleged racism in their Bury school. The letter, signed by Year 11 students at Elton High, was sent to headteacher, Jonathan Wilton, and school governors.
In the letter, pupils claim there has been an "alarming" number of incidents and urge the school to come up with a plan to combat racism. The letter was sent on March 2nd and today (March 13th) the headteacher and his deputy met some of those who signed it after school to discuss the issues raised.
Thirty three pupils attended the meeting today and the headteacher has agreed to come up with an action plan to deal with concerns. He insists racism "is not tolerated" at the school.
One Year 11 pupil, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Regularly people at school experience racism from getting called ‘monkeys’ ‘n****’ ‘p***’ ‘ch***’ etc. I can say from nearly all cases the school try to make excuses like ‘they don’t know the meaning of the word’ or if the person denies it even if there are witnesses it’s always ‘it’s your word against theres’ it makes the students effected feel upset and unsupported as they feel they aren’t believed."
They added: "Racism at this school has been an issue for quite a significant time. The school policy states “we believe that each student requires a safe,secure and orderly environment so that each individual can access his/her full potential” However an alarming amount of students feel that the school isn’t supporting them enough so they can reach that potential."
In March last year, when it ahd 1021 pupils, the school was rated "good" by Ofsted inspectors. Their report said: "Pupils are proud to attend The Elton High School. They told inspectors that it is a happy and safe place, where they achieve well. Pupils’ positive behaviour at all times is characteristic of the respectful culture of this school.
"In lessons, pupils concentrate well on their work. They enjoy learning. Pupils also behave well outside of lessons. Their positive conduct reflects leaders’ high standards. Pupils are considerate of others. They have fun at breaktimes. Pupils are not concerned about harmful behaviour and bullying. They are confident about reporting their worries to adults. Staff resolve any bullying issues quickly."
The letter to the headteacher and governors says: "We are writing to you as we would like clarity around a subject we feel passionately about, combatting racism. As students we have seen an alarming number of cases of racism within our own year group, and others around our school.
"We feel as though there isn't enough provision in place to prevent racism in our school community and think this is unacceptable. We are writing as changes need to be made. and a plan needs to be put in place. As students we feel more should be done to educate pupils about racism and make them aware of the effects."
They call for: an assembly on racism - what it is and how to combat it - to be delivered to all year groups; punishment for those responsible for racist behaviour; and a promise that the school will take incidents of racism seriously. They add that action will help prevent a victim having to deal with the aggressor themselves.
One pupil said:"Dealing with racism inside school starts with the support of staff. From my personal experiences and many other students , school leaders haven’t shown support and in fact excused this issue.," The pupil alleged that in the summer 2022 racism at the school got so bad the police actually got involved, but claimed it had since got worse
Mr Wilton said: "We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, inclusive environment. Racism is absolutely not tolerated at our school and any incidents are dealt with robustly. Elton is a place where students are heard and everyone involved with our school enjoys being part of a tolerant, safe community.
"We are proud of the way that these students have raised this matter and their letter is well written and respectful. We take the points they raise very seriously and met with them after school to work collaboratively on planning a productive way forward." He said senior staff would meet again with pupils in a few days to discuss the action plan which is being drawn up.
In 2021 pupils at Elton High claimed their school assembly lay the blame for sexual abuse on girls wearing short skirts. The school later apologised 'for any false impression that was given' and wrote to concerned parents 'to resolve any confusion that may have arisen'.
