Race Equality Week 2025

This week we wanted to highlight some of the important work that is happening in the Vale to raise awareness of racism and discrimination.

The theme for Race Equality Week 2025 is #EveryActionCounts urging us all to grow personally and as a community.

The only way to achieve equity and equality is for each and every one of us to take action.

This year we will be taking part in the five-day challenge – where we will be dedicating each day of the week to addressing different key and daily issues that are so hurtful, damaging, and excluding to our colleagues, friends, community and families.

Ahead of Race Equality Week, the anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card recently visited All Saints Church in Wales Primary School in Barry as part of their Leaders of Now pilot scheme aimed at primary school pupils.

The school selected a group of pupils to form an anti-racism action group.

The group worked with Show Racism the Red Card staff to examine what they thought anti-racism should look like in their school, the good practice going on already in school and what they would aim to continue doing in the future.

Over a ten-week period, the group undertook a variety of activities – including coming up with a group name – Red to Racism – designed a logo and conducted a whole school survey to see how anti-racism was reflected in their resources and created questions to ask staff and students about their understanding and thoughts about anti-racism.

At the end of the project, the group completed a presentation to fellow pupils, school staff, parents and school governors on what they had been working on and their longer-term plans.

Following the success of their presentation, the students were invited to present it to members of the Vale’s Community Cohesion Group in January.

George Ashworth, Deputy Headteacher at All Saints CiW Primary School said: “The Red to Racism Group delivered a magnificent presentation to members of the Vale of Glamorgan’s Cohesion Group and Communication Team.

“Representatives from the school’s governing body and Show Racism the Red Card also attended to hear the children present on how the school is raising the profile of the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, how they are gaining a deeper understanding of cynefin, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how these important topics are being taught in school, driven by pupil voice.

“The children are eager to present again in the future and excited to continue working towards the targets outlined in their action plan. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this brilliant event!”

Last week, a group of Vale staff also came together to join a webinar hosted by Rachel Clarke from Apex Educate – which is an anti-racist consultancy.

Rachel talked to the group about the current media landscape and encouraged staff to also reflect on their own experiences.

After discussing an example case study, Rachel presented some key strategies to the group for responding to and handling negative media.

For more information about Race Equality Week, click here.

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