Black people labelled ‘backward’ as children seek justice for lifelong trauma

Exclusive: Group brought up in 60s and 70s want redress for ‘educationally subnormal’ label applied disproportionately to black children

Black people wrongly labelled “educationally subnormal” as children in the UK before being wrongly sent to special schools have launched a campaign demanding an apology and compensation from the government.

They say their lives have been ruined by their early experiences during the 1960s and 70s. They were told they were “backward” or “slow” or “a dunce”, and placed in schools with no curriculum, no exams and no qualifications. The consequences have lasted a lifetime, blighting their confidence, self-esteem and life chances.