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Statistics
show that boys from African Caribbean heritage start school at average
academic levels but begin to fall behind from Year 2. The gap widens
through secondary school with only 30 per cent of black boys achieving
five good GCSEs compared to a national average of 54 per cent. Black
Boys is a film that takes a look at three schools in London that
are confronting this problem head on, with each school addressing
the issues in their own individual way. Colvestone Primary in Hackney
gets to grips with disaffection early, teaching basic but crucial
behavioural skills to help their black boys stay focused. Caribbean
achievement consultant Mike Vance outlines some of the issues within
the black community that prevent black boys from realising their
full potential. Copland Secondary in Wembley tackles the problem
of under achievement by employing a large number of black teachers
and thereby providing effective role models for their students.
In addition, the school has implemented a number of strategies to
encourage parental involvement. Finally, the film visits Forest
Hill Secondary where all black boys benefit from segregated group
time in which they can develop their learning, thinking and communication
skills.
 Teachers'
TV |
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 All
the minority ethnic groups within the Black category and pupils
of Mixed White and Black Caribbean heritage are consistently below
the national average across all Key Stages, at GCSE and equivalent
and Post-16. For example, at GCSE and equivalent, 41.7 per cent
of Black Caribbean pupils, 44.1 per cent of pupils of Mixed White
and Black Caribbean heritage, 48.3 per cent of Black African pupils
and 41.7 per cent of other Black pupils achieved 5+A*-C compared
to 54.9 per cent nationally. Girls consistently outperform boys
in all of the minority ethnic groups, as they do nationally. For
example, 33.3 per cent of Black Caribbean boys achieve 5 or more
grades A*-C at GCSE and equivalent compared to 49.4 per cent of
girls — a difference of 16.1 percentage points, compared to
a difference nationally of 10.1.percentage points.
DfES,
2006 |
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It
has been clear for some years that Britain’s education system
is failing to give Black boys the start in life which they, and
their parents, are entitled to expect. African Caribbean boys, in
particular, start their schooling at broadly the same level as other
pupils, but in the course of their education they fall further and
further behind so that in 2003, for example, roughly 70% of African
Caribbean pupils left school with less than five higher grade GCSEs
or their equivalents. This represents the lowest level of achievement
for any ethnic group of school children. In national examinations
African-Caribbean boys have been the lowest achieving group at practically
every key stage for the last four years. Unsurprisingly, the 2001
Census indicated that African-Caribbean men were the least likely
of all men to have a degree or equivalent qualification. Whilst
African pupils are generally achieving more highly than African-Caribbean
pupils, this is often only marginal.
 The
educational experiences and achievements of Black boys in London
schools |
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In
spite of a recent improvement in exclusion statistics for African-Caribbean
children they are still over-represented in school exclusions. With
only 15 per cent of permanently excluded young people reintegrated
into mainstream school, successful transition into adulthood, employment
and independence for most of these young people is unlikely. Given
the importance of education in achieving successful transitions
and social inclusion, the research set out to examine the strategies
developed by African-Caribbean young people excluded from school
who achieve successful transitions and to discover how support from
family, community and other agencies can lead to successful transitions
for excluded young people.
School
exclusion and transition into adulthood in African-Caribbean communities |
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The
relative performance of Black Caribbean pupils begins high, starts
to decline in Key Stage 2, tails off badly in Key Stage 3 and is
below that of most other ethnic groups at Key Stage 4.Black Caribbean
pupils, both girls and boys, also appear to be in trouble in school
more often than their peers. The rate at which Black Caribbean pupils
are excluded from school has declined over the past two years, but,
as the latest figures for exclusions from maintained secondary schools
demonstrate, they are still over four times more likely to be excluded
from school than all pupils nationally.
Achievement
of Black Caribbean Pupils: Good Practice in Secondary Schools |
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The
Social Exclusion Unit has identified several social factors that
are more common among prisoners than the rest of the population.
These include being excluded from school, poor mental health, homelessness
and unemployment. Some Black and Minority Ethnic groups are more
likely to have experienced these factors than White people.
The
Racial Justice Gap |
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Excluding
children from school is costly. Only just over a quarter of permanently
excluded young people reentered mainstream schooling in another
school. The Prime Minister has said such exclusion leads to the
loss of critically important years which in many cases will never
be recovered.
Excluded
But Not Rejected |
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Excluded
young people appear more likely to experience crime in the local
area where they live and are more likely to carry weapons. 46% of
excluded young people had admitted having carried a weapon compared
to just 16% of those in school. Carrying a weapon is more common
among those in year 10 and 11 at school.
The
use of knives and other weapons by young people |
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In
commissioning this research, the Youth Justice Board wanted to get
as clear a picture as possible of how minority ethnic young people
are dealt with at all stages of the youth justice process, compared
with white young people. The focus was on finding out whether differences
in outcome related to ethnicity or gender were justifiable in terms
of case-related or other legitimate factors, or whether there was
evidence of discrimination.
Differences
or Discrimination? |
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Eastside
Young Leaders’ Academy is a leadership development organization
for boys from as young as 8 of African and Caribbean background.
The Academy seeks to nurture the leadership skills of these young
black males, empowering them to improve the quality of their lives
and assist them in becoming productive citizens.
Eastside
Young Leaders Academy |
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Please email
details of other research to info@provision.org.uk or fill in the
form below. |
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How
to Reach 'Hard to Reach' Children: Improving Access, Participation
and Outcomes
This
book addresses core underlying difficulties affecting young people
in the community and in schools, relating to underachievement, disengagement
and school avoidance. It explores the consequences of school exclusion
and the practices that can enhance the inclusion of pupils with
social, emotional and behavioural needs. It offers new and creative
approaches to promoting multi-agency teamwork in relation to looked
after children, refugees and asylum seekers and those with challenging
behaviour and autism, and their families. Written by experts who
have worked for many years with children and young people in an
educational context, the book highlights the views of children,
young people and their families. It gives a powerful insight as
to how Every Child Matters outcomes can be realised by children
who are hard to see, hard to find, hard to engage, hard to manage,
hard to change or retain within systems set up to help and educate
them.
Available to buy from
amazon.co.uk
and amazon.com |
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A report for
the Mayor of London highlighted the fact that it has been clear
for some years that Britain’s education system is failing
to give black boys the start in life which they, and their parents,
are entitled to expect.
How
Schools Fail Black Boys |
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You may have
heard of a series of DVDs called The Truth Behind Hip Hop. These
are produced by Elder G Craige Lewis of Ex Ministries, and are proving
to be remarkably popular with young people.
The
Truth Behind Hip Hop Exposed |
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Violent crime
including gang welfare and the use of firearms affects many urban
communities, with a growing number of alarming incidents reported
in the media. Churches often struggle to find appropriate ways to
respond to these crises and the pastoral needs that arise from them.
God
and the Gangs |
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London's Metropolitan
Police is adopting an innovative new tactic in its war against the
scourge of knife crime which is ruining the lives of many young
people throughout the capital. Scotland Yard has produced a video
game simulation that brings home the realities of knife crime.
Carrying
a Knife: It's Not a Game |
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