Schools pledge to 'be the change' as hundreds of pupils commemorate Stephen Lawrence Day


Education workshops, wearing something orange and even flying a flag saying ‘Live Your Best Life’ are among the many ways hundreds of school and college pupils have marked the third national Stephen Lawrence Day with the help of De Montfort University Leicester.

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Stephen Lawrence Ambassadors filming at The Winstanley School

DMU’s Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC) - whose Founding Patron is Stephen’s mother Baroness Doreen Lawrence – reached out to 16 city and county schools this week urging them to use their voice to create a fairer society for all.

Pupils and teachers rose to the challenge and took part in ‘classroom takeovers’ with academics and researchers from the SLRC.

The takeovers involved virtual education sessions covering subjects such as Sport, Protest, and Racism, Race and Islamophobia and UK Rap Music, including the police and media’s responses to the art form. Schools then held their own events to recognise the importance of April 22.

The Winstanley School in Braunstone Town has been marking April 22 each year since Theresa May, when Prime Minister in 2018, announced there would be a national day to ensure Stephen’s name is always associated with creating a fairer society.

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Flags flying at The Winstanley School for Stephen Lawrence Day

Led by Headteacher Dave Bennett and teacher Natasha Boyce, pupils have incorporated the story of Stephen and his legacy into all aspects of school life every day of the year.

This week the school took part in takeovers, pupils and teachers wore orange, assemblies were held and there were art events, cooking challenges and pupils ran a mile in Stephen’s memory. The school also flew an orange flag with the words Live Your Best Life, a flag saying Black Lives Matter and a George Cross.

Stephen was murdered by racists in South London in an unprovoked attack on April 22, 1993, when he was just 18 years old.

It took his mother Baroness Doreen Lawrence – the former Chancellor of DMU – and lawyer Imran Khan QC, 18 years to get a conviction against two of Stephen’s murderers.

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A subsequent independent inquiry by former High Court judge Sir William Macpherson concluded the police investigation into the killing had been “marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership”.

Mr Bennett, who wore a bright orange waistcoat and tie for the day, said: “I think it is incredibly important to remember what happened to Stephen so young people who have experienced things they know are not right can have a voice to stand up against them. It is also a chance to celebrate the richness of our communities.

“Stephen Lawrence Day is something we observe today but his legacy is something we value throughout the school year to make sure we, as a school, stand up for what is right and are a force for good in the wider community.”

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One of the socially distanced school assemblies about Stephen's life

The school has appointed Stephen Lawrence Ambassadors to promote his legacy and they met yesterday to talk about what Stephen means to them.

Ambassador Giovanni said: “We are not only remembering what happened to Stephen a number of years ago but recognising it is still happening today. Things have not changed. We need to speak up and make those changes.

“All people from all cultures in our school are doing that. And that means a change is coming.”

Julia said: “I think it is great that we are wanting to make a change. We are continually striving to bring an end to racism.”

Isha added: “We have the power to change the way people see different races, religions and cultures. Stephen Lawrence Day teaches people to be upstanders rather than bystanders.”

Another Ambassador, Reuben, attended the first Stephen Lawrence Day event at DMU three years ago, met Baroness Lawrence and read out a poem dedicated to her son.

Now studying for his GCSEs, Reuben said: “I feel really proud and honoured to be a part of this school because it is so diverse and a wonderful community which is working to create a better society.”

One of the members of staff at Winstanley who was easy to spot during Stephen Lawrence Day was science teacher and assistant head of school Jason Scrimshire.

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Mr Scrimshire wearing orange for Stephen Lawrence Day

He was wearing an all-orange suit and tie, an orange hat and even orange tinted shades on a beautifully sunny day.

Mr Scrimshire said: “It is 28 years since Stephen was murdered and because of that a lot of younger people do not know his or his family’s story. It is so important to keep his legacy going and wearing orange on Stephen Lawrence Day contributes to that.

“The partnership with DMU and the SLRC is so important to us. If we can get more and more schools doing as we are, it will lead to more social justice. It is through education that we can change things for the better.”

Sherilyn Pereira, Public Engagement Manager at the SLRC, helped coordinate the school takeovers across the city and county and appeared on the BBC to talk about the events.

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She said: “Baroness Lawrence is the founding patron of our centre and has visited us and contributed to our work on many occasions. And it is clear that Baroness Lawrence, who was also the university chancellor for four years, sees education and young people as the way to change society and make it a better place for everyone.

“We are so proud of all the schools who have been involved in events this week and it is quite moving to hear young people speak so powerfully about how they are inspired by Stephen’s story and showing how they can be that change.

“To have 16 schools and colleges across the city and county giving hundreds upon hundreds of pupils the opportunity to learn more about Stephen and the need for equality is fantastic.”

Find out more about the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre and its work here 

Posted on Friday 23 April 2021

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