’We live in a small world and if we don’t address the imbalances we become prone to discrimination and stereotyping.’

That’s according to equity adviser and physics teacher, Pran Patel, who visited Dhoon and Laxey Federation this week to encourage students to celebrate diversity as part of its ’Our Heritage’ week.

Mr Patel, visiting from London, led training sessions for staff to discuss how stereotyping can be avoided while addressing possible subconscious issues relating to race, gender, sexuality and ageism.

’It’s education’s responsibility to make our kids into global citizens,’ he said.

’As a brown man I’ve been racially abused in the street and been spat on recently. If I can change the minds of the next generation they can make changes to society.’

Over two days, he looked at the schools’ teaching structures and cultures to see if anything could be improved.

Executive headteacher Max Kelly, said: ’Laxey and Dhoon Schools have spent considerable time developing our curricula so that we promote, celebrate and recognise the diversity within our pupil and family communities.

’We believe that breaking down prejudices and instilling a sense of compassion and understanding begins from a young age.

’My staff have worked with a range of professionals to help us do this in an age appropriate, sensitive and respectful way, and we are delighted that Pran Patel, an expert in race diversity and equality education, has taken time to visit the Isle of Man and support our initiative this week.’

He added: ’It’s about identifying the strengths for us which we can build on and helping us spot the gaps and what we’re not getting right.’

The schools have joined the ’No Outsiders’ programme, which teaches pupils about the UK Equality Act 2010 and inspires them to be proud of their own background while celebrating others. It was introduced by Andrew Moffat, an assistant headteacher in Birmingham, who was shortlisted for this year’s Global Teacher Prize.