RACISM against black students and staff in Welsh schools is to be investigated by a teaching union after teachers reported increasing levels of racist abuse.

The call for an investigation, which will be carried out by a survey of members, came at the annual policy conference of the National Education Union (NEU Cymru) in Swansea.

The investigation will be part of a parcel of measures intended to combat racism in schools, including the creation of a black educators’ network and a training programme for NEU members.

Delegates heard the TUC had reported that two out of five black workers have experienced racism in the workplace and that four out five did not report it.

Stuart Williams, Wales policy officer for NEU Cymru, said: “Our members recognise the challenges faced with tackling unconscious bias and micro aggressions in addition to both overt and covert racism in the workplace.

“All forms of racism are abhorrent, and our members are clear when they say that more must be done to support education professionals and students to make them feel safe and supported to challenge and call out this behaviour. 

“We will do everything we can to make education professionals feel valued and listened to in the workplace. 

“We know the Welsh government is committed to an anti-racist Wales and want to support them to make this a reality.”