Racist video circulates at Torrance high school, with Black student targeted by ‘racially hateful message’ Published duration 24 October 2018
media caption A young student was targeted by a “racist hate letter” at Torrance High School
A Facebook post that contains a racist video circulating at a British school is fuelling a new row about school culture.
Torrance High School, which has more than 700 young people, was one of 20 schools in the UK to be placed on a “yellow alert” for a year to tackle racist chanting at meetings.
In response to the row, the school’s head teacher, Mike Dolan, apologised on Monday.
“This racist video circulating at our school… has generated a community of support for my head teacher,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“We would like to thank our community for their support and to apologise for any offence caused.”
image copyright Facebook
The video post, showing a racist symbol, sparked controversy after it went viral on Tuesday morning.
Some parents posted comments expressing doubt that the video would actually encourage racist behaviour.
A letter sent to students from head teacher Dolan was also posted online, as his school has an online petition asking the Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, to “reform” the school’s anti-racism policy.
The school, where students wear green and yellow striped blazers when they attend, has been under pressure to change its stance on racist bullying because of the issue.
On Monday, the school said it was in consultation with the local authority on how to stop the racist chanting.
Head teacher Mr Dolan said the school had “no intention” of not “providing an education” on a code of conduct.
He added: “We are committed to raising the standards of behaviour for everyone, and are working towards implementing a no-tolerance policy regarding racism, sexism, homophobia and all other forms of disrespect and