As a practitioner, I began my career in education as a Teaching Assistant before completing my Qualified Teacher Status and progressing into a primary teaching role. This journey has provided me with a strong understanding of teaching and learning across a range of roles and responsibilities. I have worked in areas with high pupil premium and with children from diverse backgrounds.
This programme reflects who I am as a person and aligns with my core beliefs: ensuring that children from Black ethnic backgrounds are represented and have equal opportunities, as well as increasing representation in leadership roles. Growing up as a Black girl, I struggled to find a role model who looked like me—someone who I felt understood what it was like to be a Black girl. I have always wanted to be that role model for young Black females, helping them to have the confidence and belief that they too can be the best they can be.
When I saw the advert for this programme, I felt as though everything I had been striving for was finally being recognised. This is an opportunity for practitioners from the BAME community to unite and strengthen the workforce in PE leadership roles. While completing my supporting statement, I was filled with excitement about the impact this programme will have. I felt that this was the next step in helping me reach my goals. It gave me great confidence and positivity, and receiving the email confirming I had been successful was a joyful moment. I felt both shocked and excited, and extremely privileged to have been chosen to be part of this programme. I looked forward to using everything I learned and embedding it within my community.
Every session was filled with vital information, and it provided a valuable ‘safe space’ to share life experiences without fear of judgement. There were many highlights, from the first session meeting other leaders who had also been selected, to hearing from previous participants about their journeys and aspirations. Attending the Youth Sport Trust National Conference was also an extraordinary experience. I felt excited and eager to network. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with my mentor, Paul Mundy-Castle, who provided invaluable support and advice to guide my career progression. I cannot choose a standout session, as I left each one feeling empowered, stronger, and more determined to continue championing the BAME community.
After attending the County School Sports Annual Conference, I felt the representation among guest speakers and workshop deliverers needed to be improved. This programme has strengthened my beliefs, and since taking part, I have reached out to our local School Sports Partnership and Local School Lead to discuss how we can increase diversity within the workforce. I also explored how the annual conference could benefit from greater diversity, particularly among guest speakers from the BAME community. Although I repeatedly heard the word ‘representation’, I did not see anyone who represented me.
If you have a strong belief in making a positive difference and addressing the lack of diversity within our education system, particularly in leadership positions, then this is the course for you. If you want children to see representation and have inspiring teachers they can relate to, then this is the course for you. Continue to champion change. Continue to be the driving force that ensures children receive equal opportunities in all areas of life, regardless of gender or race.
I will continue to work within my local community to identify innovative ways to ensure that children from ethnically diverse backgrounds are heard and represented. I will also continue to upskill and share with other practitioners the importance of ensuring that BAME children have a voice and see the positives, not the negatives, in the colour of their skin.