Racism and bullying are common problems in all schools and we, as parents, realise our obligations to work with the children and the schools to overcome these problems

David Craig

Mr Craig said he warned his son about his own conduct.

A number of parents at the school had a meeting with the school governors and the local education authority to try to find a solution.

An action plan was drawn up to try to improve the situation and prevent further problems.

The pressure group PARIS emerged as a result.

The organisers hope parents across the UK will join them to promote their message.

One of the aims of the group is to campaign for compulsory teaching about racism.

David Craig, who is a father of five, said: "We need to teach children that there are different groups in the world and that they need to know about them."

The local education authority says the problem was confined to one particular school and that the school dealt with it "extremely well".

Strict code

Bob McGovern, Peterborough's head of school improvement, said: "On the wider issue of promoting racial harmony, all schools have a strict code on equality of opportunity for pupils and racial harmony.

"They are very sensitive but if there are persistent offenders who incite racial hatred they have to be brought to account and excluded."

The National Union of Teachers has welcomed the parents' initiative, but says anti-racism is already part of everyday schooling.

John Dixon, the union's secretary for the eastern region, said: "The union is supportive of the policy of ensuring that schools have clear rules to police and combat racism, and making anti-racism a fundamental part of that and that the curriculum reflects a multi-racial society.

"But I think it could be difficult and possibly counter-productive to isolate anti-racism as a particular part of the curriculum.

"There is an equal opportunities commitment which is a fundamental aspect of school life."