Barnet Council is set to host a conference in July aimed at improving educational outcomes for Black pupils across the borough, addressing a persistent attainment gap identified in its recent research.
The council's investigation revealed that while overall attainment for disadvantaged pupils in Barnet is improving and surpasses the national average, a significant gap persists for Black Caribbean and mixed White and Black Caribbean pupils. This disparity is evident from early years, with Black pupils generally entering school at a lower level compared to their peers. The research highlighted that the one ethnic group that has, over the last few years in Barnet, has had a lower ranking comparatively, has been our black pupils. Black pupils is a very wide category. And within black pupils, we've done analysis of where within that black category is the underperformance. And the underperformance is in our black Caribbean pupils and our mixed white and black Caribbean pupils.
While progress has been made, with black pupils achieving better than the national average at Key Stage 4, there is a significant gap between their attainment and other ethnic groups.
To understand the root causes, council officers visited nine schools, examining factors such as pupil engagement, curriculum visibility, and attendance. They also considered the intersectionality with pupils eligible for free school meals (PP) and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The upcoming conference will focus on exploring strategies for raising Black achievement. This includes liaising with organisations such as Black Men Teach to enhance attainment and engaging with groups like Art Against Knives. A key element of the strategy development will be incorporating the young person voice.
The council is actively reaching out to students who have experienced a long educational journey through primary, secondary, and post-16 education to unpick their experience.
Councillor Tony Vourou, Chair of the Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, acknowledged the overall progress in educational standards, with all Barnet schools now rated as expected standard
or above by Ofsted, as detailed in the Educational Standards in Barnet 2025 Cover Report. However, he stressed the importance of continued efforts to avoid complacency.
The overarching aim of the initiative is to raise Black achievement in our schools,
ensuring that Black Caribbean and mixed White and Black Caribbean pupils feel a sense of engagement and belonging, and experience lower rates of exclusion. While specific measurable goals are still being defined, the focus is on creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
