Black teacher recruitment targets should be in DfE plans

A new report highlights the systemic inequities that hinder the success and wellbeing of black pupils, parents, and teachers in the UK.

The report by The Black Equity Organisation (BEO) includes calls for urgent action from Government, local authorities, OFSTED as well as schools to address these issues.

The report highlights that black Caribbean pupils are twice as likely to face exclusion as their white peers. And while 5.8% of school children are black, just 2.5% of teachers and only 1% of headteachers are Black

In BEO’s own commissioned research, 47% of surveyed black pupils said their school curriculum fails to reflect their cultural heritage, and over 70% of Black teachers reported inadequate resources to support Black pupils effectively.

The report, funded by Mission 44, has outlined recommendations, urging the Department of Education and the Government to set a specific target for increasing the number of black teachers by introducing race equality performance targets within the DfE’s teacher recruitment plans (a targeted percentage of the 6,500 new teachers mandated), to ensure that ethnic diversity reflects the school population served.

Require all Initial Teacher Training providers to embed comprehensive modules on equity, anti-racism and cultural competence in their programmes. This will ensure that all newly qualified teachers enter the profession equipped to address bias, foster inclusivity and effectively support the needs of diverse pupils.

Revise the National Curriculum to require schools to incorporate an inclusive curriculum. The report calls on the Secretary of State for Education to mandate inclusive curriculum content, covering the histories and contributions of diverse groups beyond token representation. This will ensure that representation does not rely solely on individual school efforts.

The report calls on Ofsted to include equity requirements for an ‘Excellent’ rating. This will ensure that no school can achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating if it has high rates of temporary and long-term exclusions that are racially disproportionate.

For black teachers, the report is calling for targeted mentorship as well as giving them autonomy to diversify the curriculum – to ensure that they have protection and career growth, as well as are able represent diverse histories authentically – addressing the tokenistic Black History Month observance to favour of year-round inclusion and genuine educating of pupils.

On a school level, the report calls for independent equity audits, establishment of anti-racism accountability committees, equity-focused monitoring and enhanced SEND support with culturally responsive training.