Event to boost Bristol’s diversity in teaching

This Saturday (8 Dec) Bristol City Council is hosting a free information event at City Hall aimed at people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds who are considering a career in teaching.

Run in partnership with the Mayoral Commission on Race Equality, the event aims to address the fact that in Bristol only 9.5% of teachers come from BAME backgrounds compared to almost 14% nationally and 32% in Birmingham.*

The event will cover the key routes into teaching and career planning as well as topics such as finances, study skills and how qualifications gained overseas can be used.

Councillor Anna Keen, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:

“We have recognised that the lack of diversity in our teachers is something that needs to be addressed and this event is one part of a long journey towards rectifying this.

“We need to look at the reasons why people from BME backgrounds are not choosing to teach, what the barriers are and how we can support people to start, or switch to, careers in teaching.”

At the event there will be a number of presentations about what headteachers are looking for in new recruits as well as a panel discussion and a Q&A session. Information about postgraduate certificates in education (PGCE), Teach First and other routes into teaching will also be available, as well as a networking opportunity with providers and the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University of Bath Spa.

More information about the event can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/teach-diverse-tickets-52551596239

*DFE data available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2017

More information about the Mayoral Commission on Race Equality can be found here: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/policies-plans-strategies/commission-for-race-equality-core