Written question WQ88322

We are seeking to increase diversity in the education workforce to ensure that it better reflects society in Wales in the 21st century. This includes recruiting more of our workforce from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

For those not yet qualified as a teacher we have introduced a financial incentive of £5,000 to attract individuals from ethnic minority communities to enter programmes of ITE and study to become a teacher. The offer is in line with existing practice of providing incentives across all areas where recruitment to ITE is more challenging including our priority subjects and Welsh medium.

As with all of our incentive schemes this is promoted via our social media channels. In line with our other areas where recruitment is challenging, we are developing a targeted campaign as part of our marketing strategy. The Education Workforce Council deliver dedicated advocacy services to communities and individuals to increase recruitment from ethnic minorities. All of our ITE partnerships have published individual recruitment plans to increase recruitment from ethnic minorities and we are continuing to support them to build on these.

ITE community mentors funded by the Welsh Government over the past year, continue to support ITE Partnerships in their activities to support recruitment of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants into initial teacher education.

Wales is leading the way in anti-racist practise in our education system. Wales is the first part of the UK to make it mandatory to teach Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and experiences in the new Curriculum for Wales. We have also published the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan in June 2022.

The Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning (DARPL) project formally launched in Autumn 2022 is crucial to realising the Curriculum for Wales and achieving high standards and aspirations for all. This progressive project is led by a coalition of partners with professional and lived experience to support those working in education to understand and develop anti-racist and non-racist practice.

DARPL provides access to anti-racist resources, training, and guidance for educational professionals in one place through the DARPL virtual campus, which is constantly updated and will continue to be developed. DARPL is a ‘national conversation’ and anti-racist action community for everyone in education in Wales.

Our new teaching award, “The Betty Campbell MBE award” for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities was launched in 2021. This is now awarded annually in June, with the first award won by Llanwern High School, Newport. The school evidenced a culture of Cynefin where all members of the school community foster a feeling of belonging.

We have laid the Teachers’ Qualifications (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This enables high quality teachers from anywhere in the world the ability to apply for recognition of their teaching qualifications to the Education Workforce Council.