Racist kids are copying parents

Children as young as four are being sent home from school for “racist” behaviour. Suspensions and expulsions over this issue have rocketed - almost doubling from 7,403 in the school year ending in 2021 to 15,191 last year. Government officials are working with teachers to try to reduce the problem. You say...

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It is so worrying that very small children are going to school filled with racial hatred. This is a learned behaviour that can only have come from within their families.

If small children are constantly hearing parents spout vile racial slurs, then it follows that they will themselves repeat these offensive words and attitudes at school.

Guilty parents should be hauled into school and the authorities should deal with them.

It's not enough to brush it all under the carpet because these youngsters will continue their behaviour and it will only get worse. They will grow up to be prejudiced angry adults. Then their children will pick up on it and the cycle continues.

Paul Lewis, Exeter

It is very disheartening to hear there's a sharp rise in racist incidents in school. Racism is learned, and one can't help but think children are repeating words or attitudes towards classmates picked up from parents, or seen on the streets and on social media.