Sophie’s anti-racism message nets top prize

Barnes and Liverpool women’s team captain Niamh Fahey.

CBBC presenters Alex Winters and Ben Cajee hosted the awards, which also featured a number of other guest presenters including former Liverpool players Alan Kennedy and Michael Thomas, as well as England rugby international Luther Burrell.

The event was an opportunity for young people to showcase their ideas, creativity and passion around the anti-racism message with their colourful and powerful entries.

Thanks to the teachers NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney presented Sophie with her prize.

He spoke of the importance of the competition and the impact that it has on tackling racism in schools, while also highlighting and recognising teachers’ hard work and thanking them for prioritising anti-racism in their schools.

He said: “The standard of the work is fantastic, and a tribute to the children involved, but also to their teachers. One of the pieces says ‘no one is born racist’ – and that was a vital message.

“Sophie drew an extended parallel between the beauty of multicoloured fish and the tragedy of discrimination based on race or skin colour. We can all agree with Sophie –we should be more fish.”