Hiliaeth a ‘Hil’ mewn Ysgolion

18 March 2022

Dear

ATISN 16103 BME EDI

Information requested

Thank you for your request which I received on 20 February 2022. You asked for:

1. What work has the Welsh government funded on anti-racism in schools?

2.  How many Welsh language speakers contributed to the report "Racism & ‘Race’ in Schools: Experiences & Practices in Wales"?

3. How many BAME Welsh language speaking children were interviewed for this report?

4. How was due regard given to the Welsh language under the Welsh Language Act 1993 by EYST on public money?

5. How many Welsh language speaking organisations were contacted by EYST for this report?

6. How many Welsh language research sessions were held by EYST with Welsh language speaking children on their experiences of racism in Wales?

7. How many English language speaking organisations were contacted by EYST for this report?

8. How many English language research sessions were held by EYST with English language speaking children on their experiences of racism in Wales?

9. The report reads "During 2017, EYST Wales undertook a series of engagements with young school pupils from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds about their experiences of racism, education, and diversity in the curriculum." how many "engagements" took place with young school pupils from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds who attend Welsh language schools?

10. What work has EYST done as the lead body for race on the experience of BAME Welsh language speaking children? 

11. What % of EYST's research staff on this project spoke Welsh?

12. What work has been done funded by the Welsh government on racism in Welsh language schools?

Our response

The information you requested is enclosed.

Q1. What work has the Welsh government funded on anti-racism in schools?

In light of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) education resources report (2021), during 2021-22, the Welsh Government has funded ongoing work with the BAMEed (Wales) Network and a coalition of partners to develop new diversity and anti-racism professional learning (DARPL) for schools. DARPL will provide a national model for professional learning to develop confidence and knowledge across the education workforce and support the shift from non-racist to anti-racist approaches. DARPL is supported by a coalition of partners with lived and professional experience.

The Welsh Government funded Show Racism the Red Card to deliver anti-racism workshops in schools across Wales between 2013 and 2019.  In addition we have funded the co-production of resources and conferences.

Q2-11 Information in respect of the EYST report "Racism & ‘Race’ in Schools: Experiences & Practices in Wales"

EYST has a grant-fund project under the Equality and Inclusion grant, which the Equalities Branch of the Welsh Government has funded from 1 April 2017 to 30 March 2022. As part of the year 1 operation plan for the project, EYST proposed to undertake a number of evidence reports. As a result, the Racism & ‘Race’ in Schools: Experiences & Practices in Wales report was initiated and the specification developed by EYST.  Therefore we are not able to give specific information regarding the data collected by EYST for their report.

Q12. Information about what work has been done funded by the Welsh Government on racism in Welsh language schools?

The information collected by the Welsh Government on workshops run by Show Racism the Red Card from 2013-2019 did not specify whether activities were specific to Welsh - or English medium schools. All the resources were produced in both English and Welsh.

The new diversity and anti-racism professional learning (DARPL) for schools will provide a national model for professional learning to develop confidence and knowledge across the education workforce and support the shift from non-racist to anti-racist approaches.  This model will be for all schools regardless of language.

Next steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response.  Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at:

Information Rights Unit
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ 

or Email: Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.   

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely