Eton promises to 'decolonise' its curriculum

26/06/2020

Eton promises to ‘decolonise’ its curriculum and hire more black teachers after appeal from parents and students

Simon Henderson responded to letter signed by 635 students and their parents
He pledged to alter Eton’s curriculum and diversify his staff after their appeal
Mr Henderson said he would ensure Etonians ‘understand the roots of racism’

The headmaster of Eton has promised to ‘decolonise’ the curriculum and diversify his staff after an appeal from students and parents amid the Black Lives Matter movement.

Simon Henderson said he would ensure pupils at the prestigious school ‘understand the historic roots of racism and, even more importantly, how it continues in the world today.’

He made the pledge in response to a letter signed by 635 students and parents, which considered the issues of ‘race and inequality’ raised after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

Mr Floyd had gasped ‘I can’t breathe’ as white police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree murder, knelt on his neck for nine minutes.

Simon Henderson (pictured in 2017) said he would ensure pupils at Eton ‘understand the historic roots of racism and, even more importantly, how it continues in the world today’

The letter, seen by the Times, said it was ‘imperative’ that Eton teaches a curriculum which ‘attempts to address and reveal systemic racism within society.’

It added that British colonialism and race relations ‘is a subject that needs to be given more precedence in the syllabus, instead of being ignored or briefly touched upon.’

The signatories also said they were upset there are only two black teachers at the school, prompting Mr Henderson to pledge to diversify his staff.

The headteacher also promised to alter the teaching of subjects including history, geography, religious studies and English, adding that some changes have already been made.

‘You are right that that is not reflected in the make-up of our teaching body,’ he said. ‘We need to be even more proactive if we are to make real headway and we are entering into strategic partnerships with specialist recruitment consultants to help us achieve our aims.’

It comes after Mr Henderson this week apologised to a black former pupil for the racism he was subjected to during his four years at the elite fee-paying school in the 1960s.

He said he was ‘appalled’ by the experience Nigerian writer Dillibe Onyeama had during his time at Eton, after the former pupil told the BBC he was bullied daily at the school.

Fellow students asked if he had maggots in his hair, and he was accused of cheating when he did well academically, Onyeama said.

After Onyeama wrote a book in the 1970s about his Eton years, he was reportedly banned from visiting the school because of it.

Eton’s numerous famous alumni include Britain’s Prince William and Harry, as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and more than a dozen of his predecessors.

When asked by the BBC about Onyeama, Henderson told the broadcaster that ‘significant strides’ have been made at Eton since Onyeama’s time but more needed to be done.

‘As millions of people around the world rightly raise their voices in protest against racial discrimination and inequality, we have to have the institutional and personal humility to acknowledge that we still have more to do,’ the headmaster said.

‘We must all speak out and commit to doing better, permanently, and I am determined that we seize this moment as a catalyst for real and sustained change for the better.’

Henderson also invited Onyeama to meet him in person so he could apologise on behalf of the school.

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