Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ealing community leaders and residents will gather to address racial disparities in school exclusions, amid growing concern over systemic education inequalities.
As reported by Ealing News, school exclusions and racial inequities in education throughout Ealing will be the subject of a community-led gathering at Greenford Library next month.
This is the first time such an event has taken place since the borough’s Race Equality Commission released its findings.
The Preventing School Exclusions Network, a network of regional organizations aiming to lessen the unequal exclusion of kids from underprivileged neighborhoods, is hosting the summit on June 12, 2025.
In order to exchange experiences, form alliances, and create plans for inclusive reform, the gathering seeks to unite families, educators, community leaders, and legislators.
Ade Banjoko, director of the Parents Action and Resource Centre (PARC) one of the organisers behind the meeting told EALING.NEWS:
“The event will bring together local practitioners, community leaders, educators and families to share insights, research and best practice examples on addressing racial disparities in school exclusions.”
Northolt High School headmaster Marion Budd, Sarah Thompson, the Ealing Council’s school partnerships lead, Elly Heaton, CEO of the Young Ealing Foundation, and Mr. Banjoko himself is the confirmed speaker.
Panel discussions and perspectives from those who have experienced exclusion firsthand will be featured on the show.
Elly Heaton said:
“Too many young people in Ealing are being left behind by systems that should support them. This meeting brings together families, MPs, community organisations, schools and members of the Citizens’ Tribunal — all committed to tackling school exclusions and delivering the change called for by the Race Equality Commission.”
All locals, including students, are welcome to attend the free event. You can register via Eventbrite.
Mr Banjoko added:
“Attendees will discuss current efforts to tackle discrimination in school exclusion practices and explore opportunities for cross-sector partnerships to further strengthen work already underway.”
There will also be a focus on identifying concrete steps for continuing this important work beyond the event.
What specific actions are being taken to address the rate of exclusion in Ealing?
In order to identify students who are at risk of exclusion early and give specialized interventions before exclusion becomes necessary, schools and local authorities are increasingly adopting data analysis and risk flags (such as declining attendance or behavioral concerns).
In order to meet the complex needs of students who are at risk, it is helpful to build capacity for multi-agency working involving schools, social care, educational psychologists, and other support services. This ensures contextual and comprehensive support.
Reducing suspensions and permanent exclusions is the goal of implementing strategies like restorative justice and therapeutic thinking, which place more emphasis on identifying and addressing the root causes of problematic behavior than on punitive exclusion.
There is also a drive to end “informal” or “off-site” exclusions and isolation practices that disproportionately affect children with disabilities.