Channel 4 to Air The School That Tried to End Racism

The School That Tried to End Racism, a new series that will explore a program that tests for unconscious racial bias in a class of 11- to 12-year-old pupils, is headed to Channel 4.

From Proper Content, The School That Tried to End Racism will follow along as pupils take part in games, exercises and activities—in and out of the classroom—that will challenge everything they thought they knew about race. The multicultural class of 24 students will partake in the activities as part of their normal school day and will be taught by their regular teachers as they’re observed by a team of experts through each stage of the experiment. Based on pioneering American schemes and set in a London comprehensive school, the two-parter will premiere on Channel 4 on June 25.

The School That Tried to End Racism is distributed by Banijay Rights.

Rhiannon Turner, a social psychology professor at Queens University Belfast, said: “Tests have revealed that children as young as six are aware of racial differences but, as a society, we do not talk about them and often take a color-blind approach to race. Is our failure to discuss race part of the problem? This ground-breaking experiment will look at if it is possible to eradicate bias.”

Alf Lawrie, Channel 4’s head of factual entertainment, said: “This brave series tackles head-on the issue of unconscious racial bias. Its important findings apply beyond just schools, to society at large.”

David DeHaney, creative director and executive producer at Proper Content, added: “Gripping, shocking and funny in equal measure, the kids really throw themselves in and attempt to tackle issues adults wouldn’t dare.”