What Can ‘To Sir, with Love’ Tell Us About the Role of Black Teachers?

Is it wishful thinking to have wanted a Black teacher at school? In my 24 years and 19 in education, I have never had a Black teacher.

Previously published on Thoughts from the Criminology Team [edited]

One Friday in October, I hosted a public screening of the 1967 film To Sir, with Love starring the great Sidney Poitier. Perhaps in watching that film, the children and university students that came with their friends and parents may think about being teachers themselves, or even more active members of their community. I wanted to show films with people that look like them, and for a Black man to be in a role like that. It really struck a chord with the audience, including white students, one of which I know went on to do her film dissertation on Black and Asian representation in cinema.

However, the data around diversity in management in primary-secondary ed is damning. Whilst I despise the acronym BAME, it’s really a sad indictment on the education system that diversity in teaching staff is a massive issue. At the Students’ Union, almost every…