A training programme for Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Dual Heritage pupils in Secondary Schools. The aims of the Youth Cultural Champions Programme are to work with young people from different ethnic heritage backgrounds and celebrate the rich diversity of who they are.
The programme aims :
- To provide a safe space for students to explore their heritage and culture and to provide opportunities for them to share this with their peers and wider community
- To offer opportunities for the students to share their experiences and feelings, about being different, especially about attitudes towards them in school and in the wider community, and their experiences of this.
- Through this work, to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.
- To discuss their rights in school and school policies and procedures on unacceptable behaviour, especially racist bullying.
The training programme takes place over four full school days and is run by two adult Cultural Champions*. The days will be separated by at least one week, so that home preparation can be carried out by the young people. Students are offered 1-1 mentoring on developing their presentation skills and also to see if they need any further support in speaking up about identity harm issues that may be taking place.
*DDE’s Cultural Champions are Devon residents from another culture, faith or nationality, who have been through a training course with DDE and are professionally equipped to work with pupils in classrooms. They all have an enhanced DBS and Right to Work check.