Tackling racism in schools has been thrust to the top of the agenda by students at a Bradford school who are organising their own conference on the subject.

Sixth-formers from Buttershaw Upper School have already garnered more than £4,000 in sponsorship to stage the event for schools, teachers and youth workers from all over Yorkshire.

Sixth former Dina Mistry said they were motivated to act when a group from Buttershaw attended the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry when it visited Bradford last year.

"Despite people playing it down, racism is still a major influence on the lives of black and Asian people in the UK," she said.

Dina said she was struck that Stephen Lawrence just a year older than herself when he was stabbed to death in a racially motivated attack.

"It's up to our generation to challenge racist assumptions and ideas. Our conference is a great start."

Buttershaw Upper teacher Alison Shorrock is helping co-ordinate the conference and said sponsorship has been rolling in.

Bradford Education has contributed £3,000, West Yorkshire Police gave £250 and Bradford's branch of the National Union of Teachers donated £300.

Additionally, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has given the students £500 to produce a report on the conference.

Ms Shorrock said there had been a great deal of interest for the event on Saturday, January 29.

They have signed up Mohammed Amran, the Bradford-based National Commissioner for Racial Equality, to run a workshop. Places on the conference are free, but must be booked in advance.

l For more information, contact Liz Smith or Alison Shorrock at Buttershaw Upper, Reevy Road West, Bradford, BD6 3PX, or call Bradford 676285, or e-mail admin@buttershaw.yorks.com

The students have set up an informative website which is at www.buttershaw.yorks.uk/arcweb

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