The Global Majority Governors Network (GMGN) is a joint venture developed with the London Borough of Islington. The forum, aimed at governors from Black, Asian and other Global Majority backgrounds but open to all, is a joint venture and meets in Camden one term and in Islington the next. It is an opportunity to network, hear from speakers and share good practice.
The spring meeting convened in February at St Luke’s Community Centre in Islington. The meeting, chaired by Yemsrach Hailemariam from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, focused on the academic performance of pupils from the global majority across various age groups and ethnic backgrounds.
Key presentations
Rachel Davie, Director of Learning and Impact at Camden Learning, addressed several challenges faced by the borough, including declining student enrollment, budget deficits, and an increasing number of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She highlighted Camden’s higher percentage of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans and noted that disadvantaged pupils in Camden perform better than the national average. However, she pointed out the underperformance of Black Caribbean pupils at Key Stage 4 and varying absence rates among different ethnic groups. Rachel outlined targeted interventions and support strategies to address these issues.
Ben Dunne, Assistant Director of School Improvement at Islington Council, discussed the underperformance among global majority groups in Islington. He emphasized the need for targeted interventions and robust diagnostic approaches. Ben introduced the Islington Professional Partners programme, which aims to improve tracking and intervention efforts. He also addressed attendance issues and introduced the Skills Builder universal framework, designed to enhance essential skills among pupils.
Upcoming open meeting
An open meeting is scheduled for the summer session, inviting all governors to participate. This event aims to provide a platform for governors to understand the GMGN’s work and engage with its initiatives. It will also offer an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from GMGN members. Mark your calendars for June 11 at 6 PM at 5 Pancras Square in Camden.
Keep an eye out for more updates and join us in our efforts to support the academic success of all pupils in our community.
