Anti-racism film a winner for Doncaster pupils

Creative youngsters at Hexthorpe Primary School won the over all first prize of the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ competition. Their film featured sports hero Arthur Wharton, credited as the first professional black footballer, who lived in Edlington.

Anti-racism themed artwork, creative writing, film and music entries were submitted by young people from across the country. The winning entries were selected for the strength of their anti-racism messages, design and originality.

Year six pupils from Hexthorpe joined other competition winners at an awards ceremony at the Boleyn Ground, home of West Ham United Football Club.

During the show, Hexthorpe Primary School was announced the winner of the All Ages and Abilities Multi-Media Category. Then Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, pronounced them the over all winners, for their “extraordinary film about the life of pioneering black sportsman Arthur Wharton”.

Also at the event were the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan MP, West Ham United first team players Sam Byram and Reece Oxford and two guests of honour from the women’s professional game, Chelsea and England forward Gemma Davison and West Ham United captain Katie Bottom.

“This competition is very important to us,” said year six teacher Phil Sheppard, “It helps us promote the multicultural nature of our school in a really positive, creative way. We are really proud of the children who made it, who collaborated together to research, write, record and animate the film themselves.” It is a second win for Hexthorpe.