I hope that your first week back has gone smoothly, there is certainly no respite at this time of year but keep hold of the thought that August awaits! In the week before the break, Orlene Badu delivered the final face to face session of a series of three exploring anti racism in schools. The final online session is planned for 24 June. These sessions have included exploring the difference between being anti racist and being a non-racist as well as the meaning of allyship. In an era of where discussions over race and cultural identity seem to be ever more polarised, it has been positive to see so many Camden schools take up the opportunity for their staff to develop racial literacy. Our ambitions to 2030 include establishing an inclusive Camden system that calls out and addresses inequalities. Working in inner London schools is a privilege in many ways, not least the extent to which it enables a deeper understanding of the different communities that make up our great City. Ensuring these communities all feel recognised in the work of schools, both through the curriculum and in the workforce, has a real impact on pupil experiences of schools and (if we get it right) wider society.

In the Spring term, Camden Learning formed a Black and Global Majority steering group with the aims of increasing diversity of school leadership and representation in Camden schools and make Camden schools a place of choice for BGM teachers. Global Majority is a term that refers to the group of people who are of African, Asian, Latin American, or Arab descent and they represent approximately 80 to 85 percent of the world’s population. In Camden the Global Majority makes up 40% of our community. The first Global Majority School Staff Networking event has been planned for 24 September at 5PS. This has been moved from the coming term due to the general election, but we are pleased that keynote speaker Amanda Wilson, author of Letters to a Young Generation, is still able to join us. We will be circulating more details nearer the time, thank you in advance for your support in making sure that this event is shared with staff.

There is a rumour the sun might come out this weekend. Make sure enjoy the time and step back for a bit.

Stephen Hall

Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning