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Racial Equity Network Celebration Event

One of the region’s largest teacher training organisations celebrated the first anniversary of the creation of its Racial Equity Network at an event in Oxford recently.

The School of Teaching and Learning (formerly Oxfordshire Teacher Training) is a partnership of more than 300 schools and organisations that delivers professional development from initial teacher training through to school leadership, as well as supporting schools with recruitment and retention.

Its first ever Racial Equity Network celebration took place on Thursday 2 July at the Holiday Inn Oxford.

The Racial Equity Network, led by Isabel Mupita, brings together colleagues with a shared vision for schools to be places where diversity is celebrated, safe spaces are created and racial equity principles are embedded into everyday practice.

Last week’s event was attended by almost 100 teachers and education professionals from global majority backgrounds, and was addressed by the first black Lord Mayor of Oxford, Chewe Munkonge.

Mr Munkonge spoke about his journey from childhood in Zambia to parenthood in Oxford and the importance of representation in education.

He told those in attendance: “Education is at its very best when every child feels that they belong – that they are valued, respected and encouraged to dream big.”

“When young people see teachers, school leaders, governors and role models from different backgrounds, they begin to understand that success has no single face, no single culture and no single story. They begin to believe that they, too, can achieve great things.”

“Our children have been fortunate to have inspiring teachers throughout their education. However, there have been relatively few teachers from the wider global majority.”

“This is not a criticism of our schools; rather, it is a reminder that we should continue encouraging talented people from every background to consider teaching and educational leadership as rewarding careers.”

“Our pupils deserve to see schools that reflect the diverse society in which they are growing up. Diversity enriches learning, broadens perspectives and prepares every child for life in modern Britain.”

The event was also addressed by a number of global majority education professionals working in Oxfordshire, Tim Martin, headteacher at Wheatley Park School, Faatimah Osman also a teacher at Wheatley Park School and Ange Abayateye, assistant headteacher at Tyndale Community School in Oxford.

The School of Teaching and Learning is keen to receive applications from members of the global majority who wish to train as teachers. Visit www.ott-scitt.org.uk to find out more.