The students were genuinely proud of themselves. This experience has significantly influenced their attitude towards school.”
Alexandra Park, Year 9 Teacher
A short film BY YOUNG BLACK boys
As part of generous funding from the Mayor of London’s New Deal for Young People, Routes2Success has been able to expand our work in London secondary schools to run special, expert-led race equality action projects. The third of these was held with Year 9 boys from Alexandra Park School in Haringey, in partnership with expert role-models, Hepburn Harrison Graham and DD Armstrong.
Over thirteen weeks, starting in June 2024, we began working with a group of Year 9 boys through our group mentoring sessions, focusing on stereotypes, unconscious bias, and their place in society as young Black men.
Their enthusiasm and engagement made them ideal candidates for a Race Equality Action Project (REAP), where they could explore these issues in greater depth through a short film.
During our final mentoring session, we introduced the idea of REAP, and the boys were excited to develop a drama-based project. After returning from summer break, they began working with expert role models DD Armstrong and Hepburn Harrison Graham to script, refine, and produce a short film.
They explored several themes—including gangs and grooming, stereotypes, and unconscious bias—before ultimately choosing unconscious bias as their focus.
The boys’ film centred around a school careers day, where a teacher encouraged a non-Black student to become a doctor or lawyer while reducing a Black student’s aspirations to becoming a footballer or rapper—an unfortunately common stereotype. The Black student reacted angrily and was ultimately excluded, highlighting the real-world consequences of racial bias in schools. The project concluded with reflections from the boys who weren’t in the film, sharing their own experiences of unconscious bias.
Every student played a crucial role in the project—from ideation to scriptwriting and filming—building communication, teamwork, and creative expression skills. One student even discovered a hidden talent for acting.
This REAP exemplifies the power of creative expression in tackling racial inequality, providing young people with a safe space to challenge bias, develop new skills, and find their voice.
By Liam Campbell, Local Project Engagement Officer
Watch the short film HERE:
Pictures from Alexandra Park School (Year 9)
Photos courtesy of Alexandra Park School.