Article about black headteachers' experiences

[Jamdown123]

God bless them, honestly.

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/25/there-is-absolutely-systemic-racism-bame-headteachers-share-their-views

No, nothing to see here! According to Boris and Co, there is no institutional racism, it does not exist!

I have read the book, Black Teacher by Beth Gilroy, where she writes about her experiences of teaching, as a black woman in the 50's. Well worth reading.

Just read
It sickens me to think they have to go through that when trying to educate other people’s children!
It’s similar in the medical profession. Honestly sometimes I consider practicing abroad.

I'm one of the few who was lucky enough to have a black primary head.

It did make a difference to my schooling.

I also know teachers who are now retired who didn't want to be heads but were in other senior positions. They had to move schools to get to those positions. If they went for permanent jobs in certain areas even though the schools couldn't retain teachers they wouldn't get them as they weren't white. The schools were also poorly performing. A few months back I heard on the radio a teacher talking about her experience on one of those areas. She ended up resigning as she challenged the racist attitudes of the staff to the black pupils, was labelled a trouble maker for doing so and also faced racism herself.

Same old story sadly.

@RedWingBoots

I'm one of the few who was lucky enough to have a black primary head.

It did make a difference to my schooling.

I also know teachers who are now retired who didn't want to be heads but were in other senior positions. They had to move schools to get to those positions. If they went for permanent jobs in certain areas even though the schools couldn't retain teachers they wouldn't get them as they weren't white. The schools were also poorly performing. A few months back I heard on the radio a teacher talking about her experience on one of those areas. She ended up resigning as she challenged the racist attitudes of the staff to the black pupils, was labelled a trouble maker for doing so and also faced racism herself.

My friend has just qualified as a teacher (mature adult career change,). All she talks about is how differently the black children are treated & taught. She isn't interested in having a senior role, but she is contemplating moving out of secondary schools into college. She's hoping that she can try and "save & restore" the black children that have missed out during their years at secondary school.

The amount on time invested in induction and support varies greatly depending on your appearance. I have seen this too many times.

@NurseButtercup if your friend gets to be a head of year, or similar, pastoral role she will make a lot of difference simply because she isn't white. That's if she can take all the shit from her school's leadership team to get there.

There is also similar politics around courses in colleges and it is worse as there is less funding, so pay is poorer.