Pupils told it's impossible for black people to be 'racist' to white peers

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR Published: 14:44, 18 May 2026 | Updated: 14:59, 18 May 2026 Pupils are being taught that black people cannot be racist towards white people as part of a scheme to combat prejudice. Schools in Sheffield have adopted lesson plans which tell teenagers the word 'racist' cannot be used in the context of black people's behaviour towards their white peers. This is because racism can only be exhibited by those who hold cultural power, such as white people over black people, the guidance claims. In addition, separate lesson plans for children as young as seven say that white people are likely to be privileged because of the colour of their skin. They are advised that they have a 'responsibility' to reduce racism by being aware of their 'white privilege', and improving their behaviour. The lesson plans have been devised by a group of schools in Sheffield to 'empower' students and teachers to explore ways in which learning about race and racism can challenge 'the unequal systems that surround us in society'. However, Laura Trott, Shadow Education Secretary, said: 'It is deeply alarming that children as young as seven are being exposed to divisive identity politics in schools under the banner of 'anti-racism education'. 'These materials teach children that black prejudice against white people cannot be described as racism, present contested concepts like 'white privilege' as unquestionable fact, and encourage pupils to see themselves primarily through the lens of race. Pupils are being taught that black people cannot be racist towards white people as part of a scheme to combat prejudice (file picture) Schools in Sheffield have adopted lesson plans which tell teenagers the word 'racist' cannot be used in the context of black people's behaviour towards their white peers (pictured: Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott, who criticised the scheme) 'Labelling children by race and teaching them to focus on what divides them will only foster resentment and deepen division. I am appalled that any school considers these materials acceptable. 'Political indoctrination of this kind should be driven out of our schools.' The guidance has been produced by an education alliance led by Notre Dame High School, designated by the Government as a national teaching school to lead the training and professional development of teachers and school leaders. Its authors said: 'Our standalone unit by no means 'does the job' of interrupting systemic racism, but we believe it provides an exciting, impactful first step for schools with strong social justice values.' In an FAQs section for lessons aimed at secondary-aged children, the guidance says: ‘Black people can be racially prejudiced towards a white person which is wrong and totally unacceptable. However, this is not racism. Racism is racial prejudice plus power. In the UK, white people hold the cultural power.’  Meanwhile, in a lesson plan on 'being anti-racist in our actions' for children aged seven to 11, a portion of the time is devoted to 'empathy building' including 'privilege'. It says: 'In Britain, white people are likely to be privileged by the colour of their skin. This privilege arises because they are much less likely to be affected by racist behaviour, including bias, discrimination and verbal and physical abuse. 'Privileged people have a responsibility to reduce racism by: being aware of it; improving their own language and behaviour; challenging their friends' language and behaviour; reporting incidents of racism; providing support to those who have been harmed by discrimination.' And a lesson handout for 14-16-year-olds from the plans includes a section on 'thinking critically' on race and criminal justice, saying that black people are 10 times more likely to be stopped and searched by police and far more likely to be sent to prison for drug offences. In questions that appear to accept that this is the result of racism, pupils are asked: 'What is happening? Why is this an example of racism? If race isn't real, how do you explain this? Has the concept of race led some people to believe that some groups of people are different to others? 'Are certain racial groups being treated differently? Are there other possible explanations for this?' Neil O'Brien, the shadow minister for policy renewal and development, called the scheme 'political indoctrination'. He said on X: 'We are going enforce the law and nuke all this rubbish.' Notre Dame High School has been contacted for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.