MINEHEAD Middle School pupils have been learning about the importance of racial tolerance.

The year eight group have been studying a topic called Islam and the Media as part of their Humanities class, which involves looking at common stereotypes and misjudgements made about religious people in the press and trying to dissuade youngsters from accepting religious intolerance.

Their study was rounded off by a visit from representatives of the Islamic Awareness Education Program (IAEP).

The Muslim visitors came into classes to spend time with the children and held workshops in the school hall.

Sheila McBride, head of Humanities and Citizenships, said: “We're trying to promote the fact that not all Muslims are terrorists. Some of the children looked at Muslims before and thought that's what they were and they've now come away knowing that's not the case.

“They asked the IAEP visitors some really good questions during the workshops and I'm very pleased with them.”