What does it actually mean to be anti-racist? And what is the difference between recognising racism and actively doing something about it? Bigfoot’s Anti-Racism workshops for secondary school students are designed for KS3 and KS4, combining drama, discussion and real-world examples to help young people understand racism in all its forms, from overt discrimination to unconscious bias, and explore what they can genuinely do about it.
Writer Audre Lorde’s statement “it is not our differences that divide us; it is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences”, underpins the workshop by giving students the opportunity to recognise the role they have to play in changing society through education, intention and courage.
The workshop opens with a question that sounds straightforward but rarely is: what is race, and where did the idea come from? Students are invited to think like scientists and historians rather than simply like people with opinions, and what emerges from that conversation often surprises them. From there, the session builds through discussion, visual storytelling and group activity, exploring racism at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural levels. Microaggressions, unconscious bias and the concept of privilege and power are examined honestly and without flinching, with space always given for students to find their own footing in the conversation.
The final section turns towards action. Using Bigfoot’s three Es framework of Empathy, Equity and Education, students explore what it looks like to be an ally, how to speak up when something isn’t right, and why making the invisible visible is one of the most important things a young person can learn to do. The session draws on the words of Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Ijeoma Oluo and others, grounding the work in voices that have shaped the anti-racism movement across generations.
“This programme made students feel comfortably uncomfortable, and they could all find a way to relate. Adrian used a range of topics to help students understand how we can be anti-racist. He was funny, knowledgeable and captivating, and incredible with both students and staff alike. We will be looking to use Bigfoot again for our staff training.”— Aimee Reynolds, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, John Collet School
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand and define key terms including race, racism, prejudice, discrimination, unconscious bias, microaggression, privilege and equity
- Recognise racism in its personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural forms
- Understand the difference between being non-racist and being actively anti-racist
- Identify and challenge microaggressions and unconscious bias
- Explore the concepts of privilege and power and understand how they shape lived experience
- Develop at least three anti-racism tools using the Empathy, Equity and Education framework
- Build confidence in speaking up and responding to racist language and behaviour
NATIONAL CURRICULUM LINKS
- PSHE (KS3/KS4): Recognising and challenging discrimination; understanding rights and responsibilities; developing empathy, respect and positive relationships
- English (Speaking and Listening): Participating in structured debate and discussion; developing vocabulary; presenting and defending viewpoints clearly and respectfully
- Drama: Devising and physical theatre; using performance and tableaux to explore social themes and character perspective
- History: Understanding the historical context of race as a social construct; exploring the legacy of colonialism, the civil rights movement and contemporary racial politics in the UK
- Citizenship: British values of tolerance, mutual respect and the rule of law; exploring how individuals and communities can contribute to a more equitable society
- SMSC: Moral and social development through engagement with justice, identity, equity and allyship
FORMAT
Target Audience: KS3 and KS4 (Years 7 to 11)
Session Time: 60 minutes (Shorter sessions can be offered if your periods are shorter and you cannot go off timetable)
Capacity: One class per session (up to 35 students)
Also Available: An optional 90 minute staff twilight CPD session that can take place at the end of the workshop day.
FAQ:
Schools often ask us if this programme could be run as an assembly for an entire year group or if more than one class can attend the workshops. Please be advised that we took the clear decision to create a programme that would give students a real opportunity to be fully engaged in important discussions, ensuring that their voices were heard and that there was time and space to question and reflect, so that the messages land. This is not a large capacity programme, so please bare this in mind when enquiring. We will only work with one class per period.
HOW TO ENQUIRE OR BOOK
For us to quote your school and offer availability, please fill out the form below and tell us how many classes you have in each year, what year groups you want us to work with, and any specific dates that will work for you. We will respond to you within 24 hours. We promise we will not ignore your enquiry. Important: If you have not had a response from us, you may need to check your folder of doom (Spam folder) as sometimes our emails may go into it!
