UPDATE: THIS PETITION HAS BEEN MARKED AS A VICTORY, NOT BECAUSE PRINCETHORPE’S RESPONSE WAS APPROPRIATE, BUT BECAUSE WE’VE SUCCEEDED IN RAISING AWARENESS AND HAVE GOT AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE. THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE THAT CAN BE DONE THROUGH THIS PETITION. THE NEXT STAGE IS TO CONTACT TRUSTEES, THE INSPECTION BOARD AND EQUALITY COMPANIES. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION AT PRINCETHORPE COLLEGE, PLEASE REPORT THEM TO THE ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS “EQUIP”. WE WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING JUST BECAUSE THE PETITION HAS ENDED.  

Students at Princethorpe College, Rugby have recently been exposed for reenacting a KKK ritual last year (2019) and other students have reported that little to no consequences were faced. In fact, several sources have said that one student involved in the incident was allegedly chosen as head boy, some time after this incident occurred. 

This performance was completely inappropriate, and likely left minority students feeling unsafe and upset. While schools cannot always guarantee that behaviour like this will not occur, they have a duty to the vulnerable young people they are supposed to protect to take them seriously when they do happen. Princethorpe College did not fulfil this duty, and they need to make sure the students involved face consequences now, and are made to understand the severity of their actions.

This petition demands that all students involved face some kind of consequence (this incident added to their permanent record, suspension from school when it is able to reopen, etc). And that the current head boy is replaced; having an openly racist student in this position is frankly disgusting. I would like Princethorpe College to think about what message they are sending to their students and the general public if they do not respond to this petition appropriately. (NOTE: SOME PARTS OF THIS ARE NO LONGER RELEVANT DUE TO NEW INFORMATION).

UPDATE: I have heard some conflicting information on this, but according to one past student, those involved have now left for university. However, this petition is still relevant and important. These students need to face consequences wherever they are, and the universities need to be made aware of their students’ racist pasts. Also, Princethorpe College still need to apologise for this and make sure equality for people of colour is addressed at their school. This is not the only incident of racism that has occurred, according to students, and diversity training is desperately needed for both staff and students.