Teacher asked kids to pull their eyes to ‘look Chinese’

A primary school has apologised after a teacher asked young pupils to pull up the side of their eyes to make them ‘look Chinese’ during a lesson.

The six- and seven-year-olds were working on a project about China and dressed in Chinese clothing when they posed for a photo while showing off the slant-eyed look.

The unnamed teacher and a teaching assistant were also in the picture which was later pinned to the window of New Bradwell School in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

One mother, who asked not to be named, told a local newspaper: ‘It was meant to show us what a success Chinese day had been.

‘All the children were using their fingers to pull up the sides of their eyes in what I assume was an effort to ‘look Chinese’.

‘Even worse was that the teacher and the teaching assistant were doing it too.

‘These children will now think it’s OK to do this, when it is clearly not. At best it’s insensitive and at worst it’s racism.’

Another mother – Philippines-born Kimmie Fanero – said: ‘Teachers are supposed to be role models and that is not something to look up to.

‘They should know how to act. I’m annoyed at the teacher. They need to grow up.’  

The school was rated ‘outstanding’ in its most recent 2012 Ofsted report.

New Bradwell School headteacher Phil Webster apologised, and said the image was removed as soon as he was made aware of it.

He said: ‘The school would like to apologise if we caused any offence and after our internal investigation has been completed will look to see if any changes need to be made with the school’s procedures and policies.’

The school has been rated as all-round outstanding by Ofsted.