Schools across Sussex are being urged to be ready to deal with an increase in racism as the war in Iraq develops.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is warning headteachers to expect a rise in Islamophobia and anti-semitism, aroused by high emotions over the continuing instability in the Middle East.

While many teachers are encouraged by children engaging in politics at such a young age, there is a danger some will pick up misguided views in the process.

The conflict has sparked an unprecedented level of protest by pupils as young as 11, with many staging anti-war demonstrations.

Schoolchildren are much more media-savvy than, say, 20 years ago and appear much more confident in standing up to be counted.

In the past fortnight there have been several demonstrations at schools across Sussex, as pupils express their anger at the war.

Walkouts have been staged at Blatchington Mill, Hove; Patcham High and Longhill High, Brighton; and Warden Park, Cuckfield, near Haywards Heath, to name a few.

Staff have handled them with varying degrees of success, some opting to let pupils be heard and have their say, others adopting a stricter approach. However, most of the children remain undeterred by the threat of punishment for walking out.

Many have been texting friends in other schools to organise protests and some have even phoned The Argus to highlight their concerns.

Despite cynics arguing some students are just jumping on the war bandwagon to get time off school, many young protesters seem well-informed about world events.

However, there is growing concern that highlighting conflicts in the Middle East could give rise to racial abuse from those who are misinformed or misguided about international tensions.

Some fear refugee, Muslim and Jewish pupils could be the targets of racial abuse as the bombing continues.

Tim Lucas, of the East Sussex branch of the NUT, said some pupils might also be worried about relatives or friends in the armed forces or resident in the Gulf region.

He said they could display signs of dist-urbance, including unusual tiredness, lack of concentration or emotional instability.

Others might be frightened by pictures on television and believe the events they have seen could happen in their area.

Mr Lucas said: "Children and young people are no more immune from the anxieties and fierce debate triggered by the crises than adults."

The NUT pointed out there was an increase of racist bullying during the Gulf War in 1991 and recently far Right groups had been leafleting parents encouraging them to remove their children from religious education lessons providing information on Islam.

NUT advice reminds schools that pupils from minority ethnic and religious groups, as well as those with relatives or friends involved in any military action, may need support in dealing with emotional problems that may arise.

It also suggests there may be a hardening of views among the school community on issues such as Islam, asylum and immigration, particularly in the context of terrorism.

Although Brighton and Hove City Council said there was no uniform policy to deal with the impact of the Iraq war on schools, headteachers are al-ready gearing up to deal with potential racist attacks.

Andy Schofield, headteacher at Varndean School, Brighton, said: "We haven't got any specific policy in place to deal with it.

"We have got a very strong stance on any racism and the normal policies and procedures are ready to deal with anything that may occur.

"When we had a demonstration we had a few silly people shouting 'Bomb Iraq' who have been spoken to but we are more concerned with the kids becoming strongly engaged with a lot of political campaigning during the school day.

"We will deal with issues as they arise."