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4.3 average rating | Research blames discrimination and colleagues’ attitudes for blighting minority teachers’ careers
The school system is guilty of an “endemic culture of institutional racism” that is barring black and minority ethnic teachers (BME) from leadership jobs, according to damning research released today.
Widespread discrimination is identified as the biggest factor stopping BME male teachers from winning promotion, the study reveals.
Almost half of those who took part in the research said they had suffered from ethnic discrimination during their careers.
Previous studies have said a “compelling case” could be made for the existence of institutional racism against pupils, particularly with regard to exclusion rates. But this is the first major piece of research into how discrimination is affecting BME teachers seeking leadership roles.
The experiences of more than 550 teachers from a range of ethnic groups were examined by academics from Manchester University and Education Data Surveys.
“Foremost, and most worrying, it is clear that the incidence of discrimination reported by BME teachers and leaders within the school system is indicative of an endemic culture of institutional racism,” their report found.
While improvements have been made in recruiting new teachers from more diverse backgrounds, “the profession as a whole is not perceived by the majority of BME teachers to be inclusive”.
Almost 75 per cent of African teachers reported experience of discrimination, compared with 40 per cent of Caribbean teachers, according to the study, commissioned by teaching union the NASUWT and the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services.
The biggest barrier to promotion affecting both men and women is workload, teachers said, but they also identified recruitment policies and the attitudes of senior colleagues as major concerns.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said the report showed that discrimination is “all too pervasive” in schools and called for a national scheme to track the careers of BME teachers.
“Institutional racism must not be allowed to flourish,” she said. “It is robbing schools of too many talented and dedicated teachers and potential leaders.”
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said the situation had improved over the past 10 years with the introduction of support programmes.
But he added: “It is absolutely unacceptable for any teacher to be discriminated against because of their race, age, gender or religion. There’s no place for it in any workplace.”
“We know there is more to do to break down the barriers stopping black and minority ethnic teachers from achieving their full potential.”
Comment (21)
I agree. It is common knowledge that black teachers (and black professionals in general) are seen as just that, 'teacher' who can only teach and not 'lead'
"Oh your good at this, or that, but you not able to think strategically" etc., When I know that given a 'positive' not a 'set up to fail' chance, ............... all things are possible.
Spoken and written from experience.
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23:37
6 November, 2009
zetajamjean
But he added: “It is absolutely unacceptable for any teacher to be discriminated against because of their race, age, gender or religion. There’s no place for it in any workplace.”I notice that sexuality is again not mentioned.....
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11:01
7 November, 2009
timboleicester
Of course there is. You only have to look at most schools which have ethnic minority children and ethnic minority staff. The majority of the staff in teaching and leadership roles are white, middle class. The ethnic minority staff are the support, cleaning and admin posts if they are lucky. Look at any of the London boroughs and you will see this true.
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14:37
8 November, 2009
NJouied
The drive for change must come from the BME (Black and Majority Ethnic ) community .. When I came into teaching many many years ago the picture was similar... there has been some increase in the number of teachers from diverse backgrounds, but only because of expediency.. It cannot be said that they have risen to the higher echelons of Educational leadership with undue haste.. The situation will only get worse in a recession. Some positions are almost ring fenced with a Darwinian drive to exclude those least like the people in positions to make appointments.. Read between the lines and What I am saying is that adopting.. a we will give them more support attitude(deficit model) will not change the mind set of those who are in denial of their parochial mindset when it comes to promotion of BME staff.. I am a senior leader in a school, but this has come after a long hard slog..
I have campaigned via my professional association on this very issue over the years and I am really convinced that a multifaceted approach is needed. Work needs to done with the people in positions to make appointments as well as encouraging competent BME staff to keep on doing the excellent job that they do in schools and also to determine their own destiny as far as possible.. Never allow myopic senior or other staff to narrow your horizons.. Western society has too much invested in the notion of white superiority on all fronts to allow change to the status quo in any thing like the short to medium term.. So to my BME brothers and sisters I urge you to continue to work on behalf of all our children from all communities, but do not allow excessive workload or other demands or indeed lack of encouragement or active discouragement to dissuade you from applying for positions which you are quite capable of executing. True you will not always get the support which another colleague might get. There will be resentment and lack of cooperation and support from some colleagues when indeed you do succeed in achieving certain positions.. There will be jibes about tokenism etc.. but you need to be strong and self confident and do the best job you can, consistently,, any thing less and the hounds will be after you.. Too many have walked away from this fine profession in the face of difficulties and lack of support and encouragement which others around you have received.. but we have to hang in there.. We stand on the shoulders of giants, who confronted physical and life threatening attacks from those who did not want to see them progress.. True psychological and more subtle machinations are now abroad in our society (wit.. BNP leader on question time... ).. If those of calibre capability and character are deterred, in the face of adversity, and paucity of promotional or development prospects; then what hope for future generations.. Our Children’s future depends on our persistence, if not our promotion in the short term.. I am not advocating patience.. On the contrary if you remain silent you will continue to be ignored.. If you apply for a post and feel that you have been unfairly treated then challenge it. Ask for the reasons that you were not appointed or given the opportunity..If you feel they are genuine reasons. Take on board the constructive comments.. Go away and do something to improve in those areas.. If you then reapply.. The same reasons cannot be used to deny you.. I was told that I did have a broad enough experience base.. so I moved schools and gained that experience.. That could not be used next time I applied.. and so the reasons came fast and thick... but you know what? came to the point where there were no obvious reasons, other than we don’t like the look of you or we don’t think you will fit in...
I made a breakthrough to a senior position years later than I feel I should have achieved this.. but that not notwithstanding ,. I feel that my presence has served as some form of encouragement to other staff. I hope that they will persevere. I hope that all students will be encouraged to see that teaching is a profession that will enable them to achieve their personal ambitions and most importantly make a difference to the life chances of all young people.
The present situation cannot be allowed to continue..
Change must come but the speed of that change depends on all of us...
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18:04
8 November, 2009
ashanti7
I am an Asian woman and looking to go inot teaching. I live in a predominantly white middle class area, so whne I do become a teacher it will be interesting to see how I am treated in one of the ,local schools in my area. at the moment my children attend a school which is majority white population and they have not yet faced any discriminationthemselves,, the school welcomes diversity and they appreciate my input as I offer the school a different perspective which I am glad to do so, some communities need a different voice and do appreciate it..I strongly believe that I will not be discriminated against!
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12:58
9 November, 2009
sabiahoque
The war to eradicating discrimination (in all its ugly forms) will wage on forever. We are human and can only make sense of our worlds through difference.
End discrimination requires a long term process of education, reflection and a willingness to open your mind to the possibility that your deeply embedded cultural beliefs whether conscious or sub-conscious may be completely wrong or just not quite in keeping with the modern world that we now live in.
As teacher who is crossing over from one profession to this one, I can tell you that discrimination it is pretty universal in the British world of work when in comes to the more senior management positions. It really is a matter of finding an institution that you feel comfortable with and working hard to effect a positive change.
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15:54
9 November, 2009
griffin_mill
The article highlights the most significant challenges faced by BME teachers. Not only are fewer than three percent of head teachers from BME backgrounds but they also tend to leave the profession earlier than their white counterparts. In many instances this is down to systems that consistently fail to support the career development needs of this group of teachers. However, tackling institutional racism is a challenge that needs a two-pronged approach. Firstly, this involves working at the organisational level with local authorities and educational institutions to raise awareness and help them develop a better understanding of diversity issues. This should lead in to devising and implementing successful strategies to bring about sustainable change in policy and practice, giving educational bodies the tools they need, to enable them to become more attractive to BME teachers as places to work. A second, equally important element is coaching for BME teachers; to help them meet their own personal/professional development needs, and overcome many of the confidence issues that are holding them back. As a coach to BME teachers and a former head teacher myself, I have seen first hand and have also personally experienced the unique obstacles BME teachers face. It is critical to acknowledge these specific challenges and commit to supporting BME leaders. This is why at Integrity Coaching we specifically use coaching as a tool to support BME teachers and also work in partnership with Local Authorities to enable them to address the issues that adversely affect the career progression of BME teachers. Having successfully delivered our ‘Learning for Leadership Transformation’ [LfLT] programme for aspiring BME leaders in Wandsworth this academic year, which saw 20% of the cohort achieve promotion within three to six months of completing the programme, LfLT will now be delivered in a further four London boroughs in the next academic year: Lewisham, Haringey, Hounslow and Southwark.A lot needs to be done before schools can boast of a discrimination free environment but now that we are beginning to see some positive changes, it is imperative that momentum is maintained.Viv Grant Director Integrity Coaching Ltd.vivgrant@integritycoaching.co.uk
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18:43
9 November, 2009
toplinecomms
Whether one likes it or not, racism is rampant at every level. It is deeply rooted. 'institutional' racism begins with the self. That has got to change in the first instance. What does it mean to not be racist? Or half racist? for that matter. Am I of the type who says I am not racist but....... Or do I say 'Oh He/she is all right but it the others.
Do we really want to do something about this? Can we relate to the other as a comrade, a being without bringing in 'Skin disease'? Does the other reveals to be as a living warmth or a threat?
Can we just be first and foremost? Let teachers put the hands up and freely acknowledge themselves. I am afraid a lot within our school system; teachers who are here to help create the future through perhaps the noblest of all profession are prepetuaters of this malaise.
In other words, it is the 'I' who needs to change first because the collective 'I goes on to make the whole, the ecommunity. Can I really be non-racist? Let ask and pond
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19:53
9 November, 2009
1008
http://daveyonefamilylawman.blogspot.com/2009/10/education-education-education.html
As a white Londoner it was not till I had finished my education blog that I had realised I had found inspiration from many black people including a boxer and prespective MP in West London.
There is only one race the human race and it is a race we ALL have to win!!
http://www.daveyonefamilylawman.blogspot.com/
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23:58
9 November, 2009
Daveyone
Another researcher looking for easy laurels to cover his fig leaf!. Get back into the classroom. Endemic racism the term is an oxymoron!
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12:19
11 November, 2009
Birderbn
You know what ?Discrimination,racism and anti-semitism are everywhere even when I am looking for a teaching job myself.Is it brand new? No. Am I- a foreign female Jewish black teacher- teaching you anything new today? No.
Let's be truthful : when I apply for a job in a LEA or any educational authorities or even in a secondary/primary school: guess what? I am rejected.And it does not matter how many times they tell me my interview was the strongest or I was the strongest candidate of the potential candidates,that will not leave a smile on my face.I know what is going on and that will carry on for years to come.Not new,not old.Just a reality check.
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18:49
11 November, 2009
pldsjc
Discrimination in the workplace or at any time, anywhere is an abomination.
When I was a GTP trainee teacher, my assessor and tutor who had awarded me good and good with outstanding practice were told my practice was satisfactory by the school despite the achievement data of the students proving the opposite. it takes one pernicious racist in a position of power to pull you down. This mentality of "you can't be that good" is really childish... As my assessor said to me, if I spoke like an educated public school boy, they would not have been a problem. The irony of the matter is I have left to work for a better school where year on year achievement of students has improved. The school where I developed my practice is still a failing school. How many excellent BME teachers are being lost in the system due to discriminaition and miopia.
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22:11
11 November, 2009
Darwin Runner
Nothing new
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23:07
11 November, 2009
pariscentre
Nothing new, it has been going on for years. As a minority teacher, I live with it on a daily basis. With more than 15 years experience and the highest qualified teacher in the school. I am still facing discrimination on all levels. The white newly qualified teachers are always given the priority. We the minority teachers are regarded as a second class teachers, we are not fit to be leaders not because we are not capable, but because of the institutional racism in education in Britain.
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23:18
11 November, 2009
pariscentre
Discrimination is also evident as a white, middle-class, English, female trying to get a job in Scotland, I eventully succeeded after a long fruitless round of applications.
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8:34
12 November, 2009
caro51057
no doubt racism exists everywhere. But lets be honest in Britain if your white and middle class and upwards your chances of progression up the career ladder are better in comparison to the council estate ethnic minority colleague.
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16:33
12 November, 2009
allybaba
I do not wait for opportunities or hand outs. What I can take, given my capability, I take. How can you deal with racism without first dealing with the fear of....
Our laws, our statues are universly owned and must always be tried and tested. If the mindset is to aquire ways and means of dealing with the status quo then take the token. Otherwise focus yourself and "emancipate yourself from mental slavery", recognise the racist curriculum, do not pre-occupy yourself with the tick-box culture (you'll find that you will tick them as a matter of fact). Recognise the ownership of your cultural heritage being superior to the Friday night pub-crawl. Do your h/w and be right on all issues. Do not allow others to manage your agenda, our agenda. Community. Mean it. Hypocrosy, expose it. You may desire leadership..... me? I am compelled to lead.
Under-representation occuring on all fronts is a causal as regards much of the disintegration within our community. Being no more than fodder for "Jerry Springer" type programming, relegation to sports page importance, aesetic censorship to European standards; the forced perception of what is "norm" construes anything else as abnormal whereas "racial guilt" views the first port of call for abnormality as physical difference - the guilt is filtered through European propelled hiearchy of light to dark.
In schools, "good leaders" can be defined by how well implementation of HMI or whatever mandate takes place and staff tow the line. The mantra of "diversity" will be thrown around the odd inset or briefing once or twice a term but is more pupil focused with a league table priority.
Finally, the comment as regards "council estate ethnic minority" alludes to a lack of social, "well" educated and cultural skills compared with "your white and middle class" not being fit for position - I can only say that the worst racist is the one who does not no he/she is a racist or deluded.
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23:53
12 November, 2009
bimbimer
nothing will ever be new
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0:06
13 November, 2009
bimbimer
As a classroom teacher I find the institutional racism very difficult to challenge as it is so entrenched. I honestly believe my colleagues have no idea they are behaving in a racist manner & would be appalled to know that they have done so. I find it is more of an issue of ignorance than malice. However therein lies the difficulty as most teachers believe ignorance is the reserve of the "uneducated mass" whereas they are excluded from this as they have attended university and are therefore "enlightened".
Whose role is it then to challenege / educate? It is constantly believed that it is mine. Please! As a profession we realise that the most effective facilitator for boys exhibiting sexist behaviour is a male. Don't get me wrong most female teachers could & would confidently enhance their education however the message is most effective from their "groups" A male teaching males about non sexist behaviour. So why is educastion so slow to apply the same model to racism? I think I know - but do you?
To some extent I agree with Mrs Martin - ditch the hijab - get the job -put it on again. However have our colleagues ever stop to think how trying it is for ethnic minorities to be constantly assimilating the "White" British culture just to be accepted? It is a conmendable approach as it reduces confrontation however, it opens ethnic minorities to the jibe "You choose when you want to be different", ultimately undermining our ability to challenege the racism.
Surely the more pertinent question is "Where are the REAL checks & balances that the the equal employment opportunities that should exist"?
As a profession we would never dream of "treating all of our pupils equally" so prehaps we should practice what we preach and value the skills & cultural diversity that ethnic minority teachers bring to school life. I know my pupils do. It just saddens me that some of my colleagues are "judging" me by very "white" values.
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19:05
16 November, 2009
icyminx
I forgot to add ... though we have come al ong way to dealing with sexism within schools we still have an a long jopurney to dealing with all of the other isms ... including sexuality
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19:11
16 November, 2009
icyminx
What i find annoying is the idiots at the top advising us about our careers. I know how to get up the ladder. LOOK for another job. When i left my post, they lost a good teacher and i got my career move. Either way the SLT have lost out.
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0:23
22 November, 2009
abdulbvb