News / UWE Bristol
School pupils’ anti-racism artworks spark civic engagement
The toppling of the Colston statue in June 2020 remains vivid in the memory for many Bristolians, sparking a wider conversation about the legacies of slavery in the city. An exhibition showcasing the work of primary school pupils on this topic has recently opened at Bristol Cathedral.
The pieces, created in response to lessons on anti-racism, include drawings, writings, and discussion materials produced by students from five local schools.
The exhibition was launched on Thursday at Bristol Cathedral.
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The programme was developed by researchers from School of Education and Childhood at UWE Bristol.
The materials explore themes of racism, tolerance, and the legacies of the slave trade – photo: UWE Bristol
Dr Jane Carter and Dr Sarah Whitehouse, designed educational materials centred around the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in 2020, a pivotal moment in Bristol’s history.
The materials explore themes of racism, tolerance, and the legacies of the slave trade.
These lessons were trialled in schools such as Hannah More, Ashton Gate, and Knowle Park, where teachers received tailored training to address such sensitive topics.
An exhibition showcasing the work of primary school pupils on anti-racism has recently opened at Bristol Cathedral – photo: UWE Bristol
Dr Carter and Dr Whitehouse noted that the students made ‘powerful’ contributions, sharing their personal views while learning to appreciate diverse perspectives.
Dr Whitehouse, senior lecturer in education and humanities, commented: “The children’s work was inspiring, and teachers reported that they were able to articulate their own views clearly while also acknowledging and understanding the perspectives of others.
“Our work with teachers received excellent feedback on how they could approach teaching such a sensitive and controversial issue.”
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The exhibition, titled Teaching Tolerance: A Citizenship Curriculum for Bristol Primary Schools, which was launched on Thursday included a talk by Jen Reid, a key figure in Bristol’s anti-racist movement.
This event underscores the importance of fostering tolerance and understanding among young learners, supported by a grant from Higher Education Innovation Funding.
The exhibition is open to the public from Friday, January 17 to Tuesday, February 11, in the South Aisle. The admission for the exhibition is free, and booking is not required.
The Colston statue came down during the Black Lives Matter protest June 2020 – photo: Colin Moody
Whitehouse concluded: “Pupils worked with their teachers on a range of activities exploring the value of tolerance.
“This was then used to analyse sources and viewpoints on the creation of the Colston statue, Colston’s role, and the toppling of the statue. The children’s work encouraged discussion and debate about different perspectives and the impact of the Bristol slave trade and its legacy.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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