Black educators who influenced UK history
Find out more about some black educators who have made significant contributions to the UK education system.
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As October is Black History Month, we鈥檙e looking at some pioneers from the black community who have influenced and changed education for the better.
These educators have made significant contributions to the UK education system, both past and present. Their work has helped to improve the lives of countless students and has made the UK a more inclusive and fair society.
Tom Jenkins
Britain鈥檚 first ever black schoolteacher, Tom opened up his own school in 1814 after his application to teach was rejected by his former school. He became so popular that at one point he had 45 pupils when the school that rejected him only had four.
Tom鈥檚 school at the village smithy in Teviothead was designated as a listed building in 1987. A brass plaque commemorating his career was unveiled in 2003 and can be found on the front of the building.
Lavinya Stennett
In 2019, at the age of 23, Lavinya Stennett founded The Black Curriculum. This social enterprise aims get Black history into the curriculum year-round, not just in October.
The young CEO and her team are on a mission to give teachers the confidence and knowledge to teach black history in all lessons. Drama, history, sociology and poetry are all used to bring Black narratives to life.
Dame Jocelyn Barrow
Dame Jocelyn Barrow taught in several schools in Hackney before becoming a teacher-trainer. At these schools, she saw huge differences in funding and resources. The middle-class, mostly white schools had more than the working-class, mostly black schools. To correct this imbalance, she pioneered multicultural education in the UK. This stresses the needs of different ethnic groups, and is something that most schools today take for granted.
Tony O鈥機onnor
The UK鈥檚 first ever black headteacher was Tony O鈥機onnor, appointed in 1967. His school was in Smethwick, Birmingham 鈥� a town known for its racial tensions. Its local MP was Peter Griffiths, who won his seat after a campaign that used anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric.
Undeterred by the racism he suffered, Tony remained in post for 16 years, remembered fondly by pupils and those who worked with him.
Yvonne Conolly
Arriving from Jamaica in the early 60s, Yvonne worked her way up the teaching profession to become Britain鈥檚 first black headmistress. Her appointment to a primary school in London generated both media interest and racial abuse. She later set up a Caribbean Teaching Association for non-white people in education, helping many in the profession.
In 2020 the Naz Legacy Foundation honoured Yvonne, making her its Honorary Fellow of Education.
Len Garrison
Len founded the African and Caribbean Educational Resource (ACER). He began by giving out education packs at Dick Shepherd school, in Brixton, south London. Since then, ACER materials have have been used nationwide.
ACER also ran schemes recognising the achievements of older children and young adults. ACER's Young Penmanship award for creative writing helped launch several black writers' careers. They included music critic Clive Davis, novelist Nicola Williams, playwright Michael McMillan, and Dr. Michael Beckles.
Malorie Blackman
Author Malorie Blackman set a goal of making reading irresistible for teenagers. She most certainly accomplished that through her best-selling Noughts & Crosses series. In 2013 she became the first first black person to become Children鈥檚 Laureate. This UK role is awarded every two years to a writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement.
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