Derby, England. February 2006.

I work with many schools around the country on IT projects. Picture the scene…. I’m with a potential new client, a manager who is responsible for the city’s IT equipment procurement and he’s taking me to visit a site. It’s 5pm as we stroll up to the main building to meet the caretaker on the steps. The weather is crisp and clear, the air fresh, and I admire the school, it’s buildings and it’s leafy environment. The caretaker responds with the above comments.

I’d never met the guy before. He didn’t know me. Both I and my client were gobsmacked at such blatant, unrestrained, unsolicited racism. Embarrassed and appalled, my client tried to point out that such comments were unacceptable, but the words were out – hanging there – the beautiful learning environment polluted by someone who patrols the school where maybe your children attend each day.

I’m not innocent about these things. I’ve lived in Bradford, where your colour decides your postcode. What concerns me, and drives me to write this piece, is that in a learning environment, there can be no room and zero tolerance of such a mind-set. Whilst I suspect this petty little man wouldn’t do anything overt towards students, you can imagine the numerous ways his passive aggression could be applied – restricting access to buildings, damage to property, interference with post, withholding co-operation or working to rule for non-white staff and students.

What also appalls me the most is my own response to the comments he made. In my own defense, I was totally taken aback when it happened and wasn’t composed enough to reply. I’ll also admit that I wasn’t prepared to make a big scene in front of a lucrative new client. I’m ashamed to admit it, but there it is.

That said, having witnessed such a display up close and personal, I’ll be better prepared should it happen again, and will confront it head-on.

As an end-note to this piece, I can’t help but reflect on the furore surrounding Jade Goody a few weeks back. Having voted her out, the country went away feeling righteous. A quick premium rate call to cast your vote and all sins can be washed away. In theory we are all Homo Sapiens. In practice we are still tribal, and fear difference. Unfortunately it underpins the mind set and gut responses to probably 99% of the population.

With that in mind, the place to start creating racial balance in the world is with our youth and in our schools. And that doesn't just mean the white guys respecting the black guys - freedom from religious and racial bias should be in teh foundations of every school.

There is no place for racism in our schools, particularly amongst the staff!