Commenting on a new report by the National Foundation for
Educational Research (NFER), looking at the barriers teachers of
colour face in the education profession, from entry to senior
leadership, Natalie Arnett, Senior Equalities Officer at school
leaders’ union NAHT, said:
“We are well aware that racial inequality continues to exist
within the education sector, and that this can create barriers to
progression. Many of the findings of this report echo what we
hear from our own members, especially those within our Leaders
for Race Equality network.
“Research highlighting the continued barriers to progression in
education for Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals is
valuable, and can contribute to the ongoing debate, but research
alone is not sufficient to tackle the inequities and barriers in
the system.
“What is needed are tangible actions, that support everyone in
the system to feel empowered to play their part. That’s why we
have repeatedly called for mandatory anti-racism training for all
staff. This needs to go further than simply being aware of racism
– anti-racism requires action to change and create policies,
practices, and procedures to actively promote racial equity.
“This must be coupled with sustained, and concrete support from
the government, who remain silent on support to improve
representation in the profession, despite recognising the
benefits this brings to children and young people. As this report
points out, there are currently no specific government targets,
programmes, or funding in England to improve the ethnic diversity
of the teaching workforce. As a minimum the Department for
Education should re-instate or replace the EDI hub funding it
discontinued in 2020.”
