Abstract

This reading derives from a research and development project based around the ways
in which teachers experience and deal with prejudiced behaviour. The research was
conducted by the University of Sunderland’s Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training
(SUNCETT) in 2011 with student teachers on a PGCE programme in Post Compulsory
Education and Training (PCET). Highlighted in this research, which is based upon an
analysis of 76 case study accounts, is the concern that a significant number (43%) of
experienced teachers ignored or made light of incidents of prejudice and that only a few
(11%) had any pedagogical responses in place for dealing with incidents of prejudiced
behaviour.
The key point to make is that teachers need practical strategies and support in order
to improve their confidence to plan and develop teaching, learning and assessment activities
in their own classrooms which enables them to ‘tackle prejudice head-on’.
Gregson, M., Nixon L. and Spedding P. (2011) Tackling Prejudice Together. Presentation
at University of Sunderland, Faculty of Education and Society Conference, 5 September