Forum Theatre

Forum Theatre is a powerful drama-based technique we use actors (in the past we have had drama students from West Suffolk College to work with us) play out scenarios based on what actually happens in a variety of situations.  Our three scenarios were about touching a black person’s hair, teachers mixing up black students, and micro-aggression using racial slurs and stereotypes. We arrived at these scenarios by asking the minority students to describe the range of incidents they experienced and then they voted on the ones they wanted to see re-enacted. In Forum Theatre audience members offer suggestions of different ways for the actors to play out the scenarios to achieve a different outcome.

Our aim with this technique is 1) to give the white students an insight into the impact that inappropriate and racist behaviour has on minority children; 2) explore ways that everyone (including teachers) can ‘call out’ racist behaviour and ensure all incidents are dealt with.

We believe whole-heartedly that racism in schools is a safeguarding issue and should be treated as much of a priority as any other safeguarding situation.

Affinity Groups

We run affinity groups within schools, providing a supportive space for students to connect, share experiences, have a voice in a safe space and find solidarity. These sessions are student led where they have a say on the content of the group sessions, how they want to communicate their experiences, how we can help empower them to feel a belonging, an equal and to make positive change.