Show Racism the Red Card set to step up work in Hartlepool after 'disappointing' low take up by town schools

Show Racism the Red Card education manager Sue Schofield said the charity carries out workshops with children from the age of eight in schools, and also runs adult workshops.

However she said they have only undertaken sessions with two schools in Hartlepool to date – with St Aidan's CE Primary School and Brougham Primary School – despite emailing all of the schools in the area.

She said: "It's great what we do because they're very interactive, we educate young people about the causes and consequences of racism.

"It's just learning about the differences that we all have, regardless of our ethnicity, culture or nationality. Basically we're all human beings, we're all part of the same race, there's only one race, which is the human race.

"The learning outcomes are a better understanding of racism and a better understanding of challenging it and how to challenge it, and hopefully they can reflect on their own prejudices and stereotypes.

"We have lots of feedback from the workshops and they're always really positive.

"The more we can get out there and network and talk to people the better."

Ms Schofield was speaking at a Safer Hartlepool Partnership meeting at Hartlepool Borough Council.

Council leader Councillor Shane Moore said it was 'disappointing' to hear there had been such little take up from schools in Hartlepool.

Sally Robinson, director of children's and joint commissioning services on the council, said they would look to promote the work to more schools, adding she would contact headteachers in the area.

She said: "Headteacher admin inboxes in schools get hundreds and hundreds of promotional emails every day.

"In Hartlepool particularly I think it's a really important agenda so if you can send information to me I can distribute it to the headteachers."

Coun Moore also said he would look at arranging a members seminar for councillors to hear about the work the charity does and raise awareness.

Barry Coppinger, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, praised the work of the charity, especially the programmes with Middlesbrough FC and Hartlepool FC.

He said: "I've supported the work that they've done for several years now, I've been to the classroom sessions that they've done and I think they do fantastic work in terms of interaction with primary school children.

"They're quite imaginative in the way that they raise awareness and also challenge the youngsters.

"The work with Hartlepool Football Club and Middlesbrough Football Club, they've done some really good projects with the clubs, both of whom have been very supportive.

"Footballers are really positive role models for youngsters and they carry a lot of influence, so we can also benefit by getting footballers on board."

Show Racism the Red Card is the UK's biggest anti-racism charity and works with over 60,000 children and young people every year.