AN ORGANISATION, which aims to ‘identify tackle and end racism in Cumbria’, has launched its very first campaign.

Anti Racist Cumbria has invited the heads of over 374 Cumbrian schools and educational institutions to a unique online event on October 22, where they will hear from speakers including Lavinya Stennett, CEO of The Black Curriculum and Dr Adam Elliott Cooper of the University of Greenwich, as well as Cumbrian pupils both past and present.

The event's aim is to engage schools in discussion and create a platform from which ongoing training, resources and support can be provided to help schools be actively anti-racist.

The group has warned that racism is still an issue in the county, reporting that more than 30 pupils were excluded for racist behaviour last year.

They added that far more behaviours are unchallenged and shared some of the shocking stories of racism experienced by past and present Cumbrian pupils.

Anti Racist Cumbria told of an eight-year-old black pupil , who had spoken about how they have been left out and pushed in the playground specifically because of the colour of their skin and another young black pupil being called racist names and being told they were being over-sensitive when they became upset.

The voluntary organisation, have said they are also keen to 'address the bias within the curriculum itself'.

“We understand that our teachers are hardworking, passionate professionals who believe in children and young people," said Director of Cumbria Development Education Centre and Education Lead at Anti Racist Cumbria Laura Goad.

"But there are things that schools can do better when it comes to tackling systemic racism and we believe there is an opportunity for the whole county to work together on this and become the UK’s first actively anti-racist county.

"There are simple and achievable things such as sharing stories of black, brown and minority excellence which don’t take huge changes to timetables but have a huge impact. For example when we talk about George Stephenson we could also talk about Elijah McCoy whose invention was so popular that it inspired the term the Real McCoy!

"When we talk about Thomas Edison we could also discuss Lewis Latimer. This kind of representation doesn’t just help black and brown kids ‘see themselves’ but also helps white children by better preparing them for our multicultural global society where anyone can succeed.

"In a region like Cumbria where 98 per cent of the population is white it’s even more important that we prepare our children here to be global citizens.”

Anti Racist Cumbria have urged parents to ask the heads of their children's school to attend and to sign a petition that supports the letter and invitation sent to schools.

Chair of Anti Racist Cumbria, Janett Walker said: “The response has been phenomenal already, it’s apparent that schools need and want this support. However there are still a number of schools who have not yet signed up and we urge them to do so.

"It’s imperative that all Cumbrian schools attend not only to hear the reality of the black and brown experience of children in Cumbria,but to find out how improvements can be made too.

"The event takes place during Black History Month but we want to see more representation in education throughout the year, not just during Black History Month.

"I am humbled and grateful to our keynote speakers but particularly our Cumbrian voices for being so honest and brave about their experiences, all our schools need to hear them.”