Inverclyde teacher wins national anti-racism award
An Inverclyde school teacher has won a national award for her work tackling racism.
Katie D’Souza, who works at Inverkip Primary, won the ‘Breaking Barriers’ prize at the Scottish Association of Ethnic Minority Educators (SAMEE) awards on Thursday 28 August 2025.
The ‘Breaking Barriers’ award celebrates an individual who has been an inspirational and effective role model to others through driving reform, campaigning and being a change agent.
Ms D’Souza was also shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Anti-Racist Practice in the Classroom’ award.
Ms D’Souza is no stranger to national plaudits having been a joint winner of the prestigious Saroj Lal Award for a Pioneering Spirit in Equality and Diversity in 2022 from the General Teaching Council for Scotland while working at Newark Primary and having been part of the COSLA award winning Inverclyde Links to Slavery project team in 2023.
SAMEE also recognises the work of Ms D’Souza at her former school, including creating a powerful film ‘We Are All Special: Newark Primary Against Racism’, driving anti-racism work across Inverclyde and her national work on equality and diversity.
The film was voiced by pupils affected by racism and featured on STV News, was shown in the Waterfront Cinema in Greenock, and is now used widely across Scotland to drive anti-racist curricular reform across all educational sectors.
While at Newark Primary, the inspirational teacher also led an anti-racism advertising campaign that saw artwork designed by pupils displayed on billboards and in shops.
Ms D’Souza said: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to have had my work in anti-racism recognised in a number of ways over the past few years, however this one means a great deal to me.
“The calibre of nominees in both categories was incredible and I am delighted to share this space with them.
“I’m over the moon to accept this award, however, this really belongs to the cast of thousands who support me in this work every day: the brave pupils of Newark Primary whose voices continue to inspire educators at all levels to do better; my colleagues at both Newark and Inverkip Primary schools, my family and friends who support me when the rigours of anti-racism feel too overwhelming.
“As a mixed-race child growing up in a village in Scotland in the 1980s, I have always been very aware of the impact of racism in our communities and schools and I’m proud to be leading positive change here in Inverclyde, equipping educators with the skills and confidence to tackle matters of race to improve outcomes for all of our learners.”
Ms D’Souza was presented with her award at a ceremony on Thursday evening.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “Huge congratulations to Ms D’Souza for this worthy recognition for her tireless efforts in not just tackling racism but actively promoting the positive impact people from different backgrounds have had and continue to have on the Inverclyde community.
“It’s also wonderful recognition for all the pupils who have contributed to the various strands of the anti-racism campaign and for leading by example.
“We are proud of our multi-cultural communities in Inverclyde and of being a welcoming place for all.”
Ms D’Souza’s work continues leading anti-racist change in her new role in Inverkip Primary, working in partnership with the Watt Institution in Greenock on a new animation project which tells the story of the artefacts housed within the museum’s collection, examining our colonial past and its ongoing impact on indigenous people, flora and fauna.
She was recently appointed Education Scotland Associate to support educators all over Scotland with anti-racist development work.
More information about the awards is available at www.samee.org.uk