Join us for an afternoon of discussion about how we can increase representation of black and minority teachers in schools and make settings more inclusive and diverse.
12.45 – 3.45pm, 21 June 2022
Institute of Education, University of Reading, London Road Campus
| 12.45 | Arrive |
| 1.00 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 1.10 | Thahmina Begum (Executive Headteacher, Cumberland Community School, Newham) and Omar Deria (Executive Headteacher, Petchey Academy, Hackney) |
| 1.30 | Mark Pritchard (Headteacher, Upton Court Grammar School) |
| 1.50 | Andrea O’Niel (Inclusion Leader, The Kennet Federation, Reading) and Jermaine Webster (Assistant Headteacher Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School, Reading) |
| 2.10 | Aniqa Leena (PhD student, IoE, University of Reading) |
| 2.30 | Break (tea and coffee served) |
| 2.45 | Roundtable discussion (all speakers) |
| 3.30 | Closing remarks |
| 3.45 | Finish |
Attendance is free but booking is essential.
Book your place here: Teachers Like Us
Speaker Profiles
Thahmina Begum
Executive headteacher, Forest Gate Community School and Cumberland Community School, Newham
Before taking the role as Executive Headteacher of CCS, Thahmina was Headteacher of Forest Gate Community School which was judged to be Outstanding under the latest EIF framework in 2021. Prior to that, Thahmina led the English team at Forest Gate Community School where progress was the best in the country in 2017 and has consistently been in the top 10 ever since.
Omar Daria
Executive headteacher, Petchey Academy, Hackney
Omar is executive headteacher Petchey academy in Hackney. Before taking on this role, Omar ran Cumberland Community School 2019 – 2022 after being at Forest Gate Community School for 11 years. Whilst at Forest Gate Community School Omar was a Deputy Headteacher for 2 years, Assistant Headteacher for 3 years and a Head of Learning for 3 years. Omar has a BSc in Business Information Technology and an MA in Education as well as a PGCE.
Mark Pritchard
Executive headteacher, Upton Court Grammar School
Mark is the Executive Headteacher of Upton Court Grammar School and leads school improvement and leadership development for Pioneer Educational Trust. Mark has a strong history of working in educational leadership. With key skills in leadership management, strategic planning, teaching, and training. His background includes achieving a Master of Arts in Comparative Education from the UCL Institute of Education.
Andrea O’Niel
Inclusion leader at the Kennet Federation, Reading
Andrea is the Inclusion Leader at the Kennet Federation in Reading. Prior to this role she was EYFS leader and SENCo. She is responsible for SEND, EAL and Mental Health and Wellbeing across the federation. Her aim is to improve the lives of the children and their families by offering the right support and appropriate SEND provision to meet their needs. She is an advocate for the disadvantaged who often do not have a voice.
Jermaine Webster
Assistant headteacher, Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School and anti-racism lead for Reading
Jermaine is the Assistant Headteacher at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School. Prior to this role he was the Subject Leader for Physical Education and Health & Social Care as well as previously being a Head of House. He is responsible for diversity and equality in school as well as behaviour, achievement and PSHE. As an Anti-Racism Leader, he is passionate about creating a school environment where all students feel safe and valued regardless of their ethnicity and that schools are actively celebrating the cultures we have around us and creating more diverse curriculums.
Aniqa Leena
Phd student at the Institute of Education, University of Reading
Aniqa Leena, a former teacher and BA Primary Education student at the IoE, is currently doing a PhD with Dr Naomi Flynn and Professor Suzanne Graham. Her PhD involves working with Southampton schools on the ‘Talk Rich Teaching Project’, a professional development programme designed to equip teachers with the skills to support EAL pupils’ language and literacy development. Before starting her PhD, Aniqa completed a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Oxford.