Our country needs Black STEM teachers
Not enough Black pupils are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. We’re partnering with Mission 44, Sir Lewis Hamilton’s charitable foundation, to change that. Our shared goal is to recruit and train 150 Black STEM teachers over two years, to work in schools serving disadvantaged communities in England.
STEM from Black
STEM from Black
We have brought together Black STEM leaders and educators to showcase the powerful role teachers will play in inspiring the next generation of Black STEM professionals.
Watch the video to hear more from our STEMfluencers.
Representation matters
England's teaching workforce has a serious diversity problem. Some pupils have no Black teachers throughout their whole time in school. This is even more stark in STEM subjects. Without representation and role models, young Black pupils are less likely to engage with these subjects - and further still, pursue careers related to them. That means less Black scientists, engineers and other professionals that contribute to our society's future.
This is why we've partnered with Seven-Time Formula One™ World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton's foundation Mission 44.
Mission 44 are working to transform the lives of young people facing disadvantage and discrimination. As a new charitable foundation with diversity at its core, they’re working to support young people to fulfil their potential.
Teach First x Mission 44 Partnership
I am incredibly proud to be a Black STEM educator.
Our pupils need more Black role models
For Black History Month, Mission 44 founder, Sir Lewis Hamilton, visited Kingsford Community School – a school we’re proud to work with – to see the importance of our partnership and talk with pupils about diversity in teaching.
As well as meeting with pupils (past and present), he was warmly welcomed by Kingsford teachers, including Head Teacher Joan Deslandes OBE.
Sir Lewis Hamilton visits Kingsford Community School
Black STEM teachers are the key to inspiring a new generation of Black scientists, mathematicians, engineers, designers and inventors. Apply for the Teach First Training Programme today and join the most important generation of Black STEM teachers.
The Facts: Black teachers in England
Out of 465,000 teachers in England only
2.4%
are from Black backgrounds
46%
of schools in England have no racially diverse teachers at all
Only
1.1%
of classroom teachers are Black African, despite making up 2.1% of the working age population
In comparison
84.2%
of classroom teachers are White British, in spite of making up 78.% of the working age population
"I am incredibly proud to be announcing the first partnership from Mission 44 today. Our work with Teach First is another step towards addressing barriers preventing young Black students' engagement with STEM, as identified in The Hamilton Commission report. We know representation and role models are important across all aspects of society, but especially when it comes to supporting young people’s development. By establishing this partnership, which focuses on identifying the best way to attract Black talent to STEM teaching roles, we hope to create a framework the wider education industry can implement. It’s our hope other organisations recruiting teachers will support and join us on our mission to see more diversity in the classroom."
Sir Lewis Hamilton, Founder of Mission 44
“The entire Teach First community is very excited to launch this partnership with Mission 44 and Lewis Hamilton. There is an urgent need for quality teachers as we address the educational disadvantage in the poorest communities across the UK. The teaching workforce does not reflect the diversity of our pupils and the country - and Black teachers remain a significantly underrepresented group in our classroom, creating even more barriers for our Black students. This partnership is an opportunity for this to change. Recruiting more Black STEM teachers over the next two years sends a clear message for Black students that they too can aspire to have a successful career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
Dame Vivian Hunt, Chair of Teach First
How you can get involved
Our work is a small step towards addressing the barriers preventing young Black pupils engaging with STEM - but we can't do it alone. Your support is invaluable to getting urgent representation in our country's classrooms.
Join our Training Programme
We're passionate about recruiting new Black STEM teachers to join our award-winning Training Programme. The programme is salaried, and you’ll come out of it as a qualified teacher. What’s more, you’ll train as you teach - making a difference to the lives of your pupils from day one. So whether you’re fresh out of university or changing career, we can support you to make the leap. Find out more and apply now to make a difference to pupils who need role models like you.