This chapter examines the relationship between the development of race relations legislation, and the educational responses of successive governments as well as responses from other related agencies. The educational response to the arrival and settlement of minority groups in Britain cannot be considered separately from the politics of 'race' and race relations and indeed the way in which 'immigrants' and immigration policies were viewed. Britain has moved through what can be described as three overlapping phases of assimilation, integration and cultural pluralism. The extent to which educational responses of the 1980s were influenced by the ideology of cultural pluralism and underpinned by the concept of equal opportunities is discussed through a brief overview of major research reports and government publications. Individuals and organisations concerned with promoting equal opportunities and anti-racist education may find it more difficult to influence individual schools than LEAs.