This new study by UCL Institute of Education (IOE) finds that 46% of all schools in England have no Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) teachers, and even in ethnically diverse schools, BAME teachers are underrepresented in senior leadership teams.
The researchers also found that only 16% of schools across England employ over a fifth of their teachers from BAME groups.
The research team found that BAME teachers are concentrated in London schools, as well as ethnically diverse schools both in terms of staff and pupils. BAME teachers also tend to work in disadvantaged schools in London. The teacher interviews revealed that they were open and motivated to teach in urban diverse schools, which experience teacher supply challenges, because they value diversity in the workplace and relate to pupils from non-dominant ethnic communities.
Although teachers value workplace diversity, they disapprove of the universal whiteness of senior leadership teams (SLTs) in otherwise diverse schools, the study found. This underrepresentation in leadership plays a role in BAME teachers’ decisions to move schools because of a perceived negative impact on the organisational culture.
Stalled opportunities for career progression are the key turnover and attrition factor for experienced BAME teachers in England. Those interested in senior promotions feel unfairly passed over for such opportunities, leaving many disillusioned or in pursuit of opportunities outside of the state school sector.