Research Report Makes Findings on Racial Equality in the Teacher Workforce

The report has been published in partnership with Ambition Institute and Teach First, with the aim of establishing the extent of ethnic disparities and where they occur in the teacher career pathway. It makes some interesting findings and recommendations for education providers.

The research reveals people from all ethnic backgrounds except white are under-represented at all career stages of the profession. People from white ethnic backgrounds are under-represented in postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) applications, but over-represented from ITT enrolment onwards. Applicants from mixed ethnic, Asian, black and other ethnic backgrounds are respectively 9%, 13% and 21% less likely to be accepted onto ITT courses than white applicants. 

The report finds that the underrepresentation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds continues up the career ladder. Teachers from Asian, black and other mixed ethnic backgrounds are less likely to be promoted to middle leadership than their white colleagues. At headteacher level, 96% headteachers are white, compared to 83% of the population.

The report recommends that leaders and decision makers in ITT providers, school and trusts are supported and equipped to make equitable workforce decisions, particularly in the context of recruitment, selection and promotion. It also recommends regular monitoring to assess where progress is being made in reducing disparities. 

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