Pupils in England are likely to only be taught by white teachers
Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to be accepted onto teacher training courses, according to a new report
Last updated 18th May 2022
There is a high probability that pupils from English state schools have only been taught by white teachers, according to a new report.
The report on ‘Racial equality in education’ finds that six in 10 English state schools have an all-white teaching staff, while in primary schools nearly seven in 10 have only white teachers.
The research also shows that non-white ethnic groups are under-represented through all stages of a teaching career, apart from during teacher training.
Although many non-white teachers apply for these positions, this is not mirrored in the make-up of trainees on teaching courses.
Researchers say that this "indicates acceptance rates for applicants from these ethnic backgrounds are generally lower than for applicants from white ethnic backgrounds".
Under-representation of non-white teachers
The study from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) found that teachers from black, Asian, and other ethnic minority backgrounds were subsequently under-represented at every stage of the profession, from newly-qualified teacher through to headteacher, compared to their representation in the general population in 2021.
The disparity is most pronounced at senior leadership levels and headship levels, with 96% of heads coming from white backgrounds, compared to 83% of the wider population.
"These trends contribute to schools having senior leadership teams that are predominantly white," the report says.
It notes that 86% of state schools have an all-white senior leadership team and 60% have an all-white teaching staff.
"Although secondary schools have a more diverse teaching staff than primary schools, children entering school today have a high probability of rarely or never being taught by a teacher from an Asian, black, mixed or other ethnic minority group," it says.
Acceptance rates onto teacher training courses lower in other ethnic backgrounds
Acceptance rates onto teacher training courses were nine percentage points lower for applicants from mixed ethnic backgrounds, 13% lower for applicants from Asian backgrounds and 21% lower for applicants from black and other ethnic backgrounds compared with acceptance rates for white applicants.
While there are more teachers from non-white backgrounds in London, the report also shows that "the gaps between the rates of promotion to senior leadership of middle leaders from black ethnic backgrounds and their white counterparts are significantly wider in London than they are nationally".
The report says this is "particularly important" given demographic differences between regions - 62% of teachers from black ethnic backgrounds work in London.
It also found that volunteer governors from white backgrounds were over-represented, which was a concern given their importance in decision-making in schools.
The report notes areas of good practice, giving the example of Teach First, where the gap in acceptance rates between those from black, mixed and Asian backgrounds and white counterparts is considerably smaller than in other training routes.
Training providers have been asked to review causes of lower acceptance rates
The report said that 'Initial Teacher Training' (ITT) providers should review their application and selection processes to pinpoint the causes of lower acceptance rates for applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds, and to act to address any inequalities.
The report suggests ITT providers should also publish institutional data on diversity and how they are acting to address disparities, and that the Government should collect data not only on representation in the profession, but also on progression from one stage of a teaching career to the next.
The report's co-author and NFER's school workforce lead, Jack Worth, said: "Our report shows that we currently do not have a teacher workforce that reflects the ethnic makeup of wider society and that opportunities to enter and progress within the teaching profession are not equal."
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "At a time when black teachers, especially in senior positions, are so under-represented it is unacceptable that the pipeline to teaching careers is blighted with racial disparities."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The teaching workforce is becoming more diverse - with the latest data showing 9.3% of teachers reported being from an ethnic minority background, while 21% of postgraduate teacher trainees reported the same. This is compared with 14% of people in the general population, but we know there is further to go."
"We have put in place inclusive recruitment campaigns, tax-free bursaries and scholarships to encourage talented trainees from all backgrounds to teach key subjects, and removed barriers to initial teacher training to encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.”
"Our 500,000 training programmes for teachers at all levels of the profession will also help retain and develop the best teachers, regardless of their background."