Short description:

This thought-provoking and experience-led book guides teachers and leaders to create anti-racist practices and to develop a curriculum for children with SEND, promoting cultural representation and giving all pupils a voice and a sense of belonging. It is key reading for educators working in both mainstream education and special schools.

Long description:

This thought-provoking and experience-led book guides teachers and leaders to create anti-racist practices and to develop a curriculum for children with SEND, promoting cultural representation and giving all pupils a voice and a sense of belonging.

Informative and practical chapters challenge the reader to review their whole school system and policies, taking them on a step-by-step journey through three main parts. The book enables educators to understand how this work can be meaningfully applied when working with SEND pupils and families in all settings, with topics covered including:

• exploring what an anti-racist curriculum is and why it?s needed for pupils with SEND


• establishing buy-in from school staff and meaningful support from key stakeholders


• creating an action plan and establishing accountability


• providing opportunities for high-quality CPD for all stakeholders


• how to create a cultural calendar and curriculum offer of representation


• developing whole school practices to link to home and the community


• preparing pupils for life beyond school.

Pupils with SEND can access complicated topics if the subject matter is presented in a way that makes sense to them, with purpose, clarity and relevance to their lives. This book provides essential content and guidance for professionals to follow and implement for the benefit of SEND pupils and will be key reading for educators working in mainstream education, additional resource provisions, SMEH provisions and special schools.

"Priya Bhagrath is a transformative headteacher committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable education for all pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In her narrative, she accommodates diverse learning needs and promotes the importance of representation. In modern Britain, the importance of being an anti-racist school is paramount. Priya is at the forefront of this mission, embedding anti-racist values that challenge biases and celebrate the contributions of Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities. Priya's vision for education is one of equality, respect and opportunity, where every student - regardless of balckground or ability, feels a profound sense of belonging." - Sheetal Smith-Batish, School Senior Leader

"Creating an Anti-Racist Curriculum for Children with Special Educational Needs is a compelling call to action for educators and school leaders committed to transforming their curriculum into one that reflects and celebrates the diversity of today?s classrooms. This book goes beyond the superficial, delving deeply into the complexities involved in devising and implementing an anti-racist curriculum within a SEND environment. Through well-researched insights, Bhagrath exposes the systemic inequities in education, offering inspiration and practical steps for nurturing inclusivity and allyship in school communities. Subtitled Moving Beyond Saris, Samosas and Steel Drums, reflecting current practice, the author uses personal experiences and insights to give readers a profound understanding of the urgency and challenges of embedding anti-racism into every level of the education system.  She skilfully unpacks topics such as cultural competency, intersectionality, and the critical role of leadership, making it an essential guide for all SEN schools seeking to build an educational environment where students, regardless of race or ability, feel noticed and valued. This is not just a book?it?s a timely roadmap for meaningful change in our schools." - Dr Mike Baldwin, SEND teacher and author

"Priya's powerful narrative not only highlights the pressing issues but also inspires hope and action, fuelling our collective efforts towards a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape [...] offers invaluable insights and practical strategies for schools, making it a must-read for educators, parents, and individuals interested in this field [...]. An indispensable resource" - Frances Akinde, Education Advisor, SEND consultant and author of Be an Ally not a Bystander

?Priya has written a profoundly important and timely book. She blends lived experiences with research and an analysis of what is going wrong in our schools. And yet, it is also full of hope, providing possible solutions to stem the tsunami of systemic racism in schools. Priya advocates for not just the SEND sector, but for all schools and all educators. She has crammed so much intense wisdom into these pages that you will not be unmoved by her polemic. This is an essential book for all working in education - from ITT to HE." - Keziah Featherstone, Co-founder of Women?s Ed

?This important book offers a foundational and systemic overview of the intersectional nature of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and race work. It examines the distinction between multi-cultural experiences and anti-racist practices, highlighting the challenges and systemic barriers professionals must overcome. It is a key text for those tasked with protecting all children with SEND and ensuring anti-racist strategies are used effectively to afford children and their families the rights to a holistic schooling experience.? ? Dr Claire Stewart-Hall, Founder of Equitable Coaching

Table of Contents:

Foreword

PART A: INTRODUCTION: Roots of Inequity: Systemic barriers and Cultural perspectives

The Scent of Prejudice: Racism, Disability, and the Unspoken Struggles in Education.

Chapter 1: What is an Anti-Racist curriculum, and why is it needed in a SEND school?

Chapter 2: How can leaders start this work by ensuring it is purposeful?

Chapter 3: How do you establish buy-in and support from the teachers and support staff? 

Chapter 4: What does an anti-racist curriculum mean to parents of SEND children?

PART B: Collaborative Action: Empowering communities and schools

Chapter 5: Ensuring your community is informed to resist racism, empower change, and shape an inclusive society.

Chapter 6: How to create allyship with colleagues.

PART C: Shaping Futures: Transforming the curriculum and preparing students for lifelong success

Chapter 7: A window & mirror: How to create a curriculum offer of multi-cultural representation.

Chapter 8: How to create a cultural calendar to reflect your school community.

Chapter 9: Knowing the difference between multi-cultural experiences and anti-racist practices.

Chapter 10: How to review recruitment and retention and ensure representation within the staff community.

Chapter 11: How to review and improve the representation of all nine protected characteristics within policies and practice in SEND settings.

Chapter 12: How can young ethnic minority people with SEND be prepared for an intersectional life in Modern Britain post-schooling?

Chapter 13: How to collaborate with stakeholders and the community to prepare for life beyond the school.

Chapter 14: Conclusion

Index