Somali children and young people form one of the fastest growing ethnic groups and are the largest refugee group in UK schools, an estimated 22 per cent of all refugee children in 2004 (Rutter, 2004). The largest BME group in Bristol schools are Somalis 3.9% (BCC, 2008). However, they face a wide range of issues including multiple deprivation, racial harassment, exclusions, and underachievement.

The lack of educational progress among Somali pupils has multiple and complex causes. These include:

• racial harrasment in schools;
• disengagement from schools;
• inability to access enrichment and play activities in locality;
• lack of parental support;
• lack of appropriate educational support to help them develop academic literacy.

In order to help Somali pupils remove obstacles to their advancement, the project:

• delivers creative learning sessions and positive activities to enable Somali pupils develop their full personal potential;
• promotes positive role models within the community;
• empowers children and young people maintain cultural identity and raise self-esteem;
• helps children and young people develop strategies for challenging and coping with racism and bullying, including mobile and cyberbullying.