Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar On His Rocky Education As An Asian Student In 1980s London
"I wasn't included in any school plays. Nowadays primaries are far more aware of the importance of equality"
I enjoyed junior school more than infants and secondary. I lived in an area with a high concentration of Asians in West London. The school became more diverse in the four years I was there.
The teachers mainly treated me rather well. One of them, Mrs Glen, recognised and encouraged my curiosity about learning. I was bright and well-spoken with occasional contributions of cheek. Ironically, although I was often asked to demonstrate ‘how to do a scene’ in drama classes, school plays or even the nativity, I was never given a big part in any of them.
My parents were not very involved in my education. It came to light that parents who were more active within the school had more ‘favours’ done. For example, the school only put forward a few names for the local grammar and although my 11+ grades were better, it was the more ‘favoured’ boys that were selected.
My love of language and drama was nurtured at home. I wasn’t included in any school drama productions but had the passion (and arrogance) to believe I was good. I loved reading and writing stories, but that came primarily from my mum. Going to the library to borrow books was always a thrill.
I often visited primary schools when I was doing theatre in education work. That was twenty years ago and involved doing productions in schools then holding workshops with the kids afterwards. Nowadays my only school visits tend to be with my own kids.
My impression is that primary schools are far more aware of the importance of equality nowadays, both racial and gender. With the tsunami of social media, the importance of preparing children to deal with stresses and dangers without terrifying them is one of the biggest changes that I’ve been aware of.
The bullying, mainly psychological, that I experienced at secondary school made for a difficult time, although I hate to sound over-dramatic because I know how much worse many kids have had it than me. Many of the teachers weren’t up to much and the pastoral care was left wanting.
It was a huge school, with almost one third Asian students, probably closer to 75% in the sixth form. The teachers were unprepared for dealing with the cultural baggage that these kids brought. One of the best days for me was the last day! I went back there for a documentary a few years ago and the place seemed transformed. I think I would rather have enjoyed being there now.
I was fairly diligent student to start with, although easily distracted. The problem was that the teachers were forced to work at the pace of the slowest students. It meant that brighter students got bored quickly. Most kids in the class had no intention of studying beyond the age of 16 and that also impacted on the smaller number that wanted to learn. Those that were naturally academic or self-motivating did OK. I needed to be engaged and the teachers (and I) largely failed to do that.
The race riots of the eighties meant it was a very tense time – although more so in retrospect. As a child you just accept the reality that you’re given. The National Front would attempt to recruit outside the school gates at home time and there were frequent fights based on race baiting and taunting.
Overwhelmingly, the Asian kids were first generation British born (like me), but also kids who were more recent arrivals. Their parents weren’t in any great position to help or explain. They were suffering their own taunts and pressures as well.
I wish I’d found a way to be more self-motivated and perhaps had more resolve to study the subjects I was good at. But it’s all contributed to who I am now and I’m happy with that. I’m chancellor of a university, so something must’ve gone right!
Sanjeev Bhaskar has been chancellor of Sussex University since 2009. He wrote and starred in TV shows Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42 and recently played DI Sunny Khan in ITV drama Unforgotten.
