PUPILS ditched their school uniforms to show support for an anti-racism campaign.

Students and staff at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form were encouraged to wear red for a non-uniform day and donate £1 to Show Racism the Red Card.

The charity helps fund anti-racism education for young people across the country.

It is the UK's largest anti-racism educational charity and was established in 1996 after a donation by footballer Shaka Hislop, who played in goal for Newcastle, Reading, West Ham and Trinidad and Tobago.

The school's sixth form English language and literature students also enjoyed a masterclass by poet Jacob Sam-La Rose.

Covid rules meant the wordsmith was unable to make his annual visit in person, but he made a virtual appearance to discuss his Breaking Silence collection of poetry, which is part of the curriculum.

A school spokesman said:"He read and analysed his own poems to help students to fully grasp his work, as he took questions, thoughts and even criticism as students made the most of the time they had with the poet."