Article
Black FE Leadership Group: If not us, who? If not now, when?
Amarjit Basi As a member of the recently formed Black @FELeadership Group (BFELG), I am hugely encouraged by the response to and engagement with our Open Letter since its
BAMEed Further Education (FE)
Our mission and vision
Further Education (FE) is itself under-represented as voice within the education sector, which further marginalises those that work and learn in this part of the sector, especially those from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. FE is the gateway into many of the sectors that we know lacks representation and we have a unique opportunity to influence the change we want to see in wider society.
The BAMEed Network FE Hub has a core vision to promote the following:
- Focus on further education predominantly.
- Challenge systemic, institutional, and structural racism through a strategic approach.
- Amplify the voices of educators from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.
- Share good practice from within the further education sector.
- Build positive relationships with partners across the sector to support our vision.
To get involved or simply to connect, please contact us on BAMEedFE@gmail.com
Meet the team
Haroon Bashir
Haroon Bashir is currently the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Head of Equality and Diversity at a local FE College. He is a motivated and passionate manager who has worked successfully in safeguarding, pastoral, and curriculum roles in the Further Education Sector. By managing both the quality side of FE as well as the pastoral side, this has enabled Haroon to ensure students obtain the best possible learning experience. Haroon is also the Chair of Governors at a local Primary School, which has shaped his understanding of education at different levels.
Gail Pringle
Gail Pringle is Leicester College’s new Head of Student Equality Diversity and Inclusion. She took up post in June 2021. Gail has lived and worked in Leicester for most of her life (originally hailing from Birmingham) one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the UK. Gail graduated from Mid Glamorgan University (BA Hons Media and Communications), has a Masters in Race and Ethnic Studies from Warwick University, and has successfully completed her CMI in Strategic Approaches to EDI. Gail has over 30 years’ experience working in the Black voluntary sector as a volunteer, activist, development worker, manager, and consultant. She worked for 11 years for a national Refugee Charity and has held several public sector posts including being a Senior Manager with the Leicestershire Adult Learning Service where she was the designated Safeguarding Lead. In addition, Gail managed both curriculum and support services, including Apprenticeships, Learner Engagement and Marketing and Communications. Gail has held several national and local voluntary roles, including board member for Ethics Integrity and Complaints, for The Police and Crime commission, The National Heritage Memorial Fund, School Appeals panel member and chair, and secondary school governor. Gail has two teenage boys of dual heritage (English/Irish and Jamaican), and is passionate about enabling all individuals, regardless of their background to reach their full potential particularly through education.
Jaspal Dhaliwal
Jaspal Dhaliwal is the Head of Inclusion, Maths, English and Digital Skills at Westminster Adult Education Service. Jaspal has led the work that focuses on how to use achievement gaps between learners from different ethnicities to improve outcomes and is chair of this group. Other roles include Safeguarding officer and Mental Health first aider. Jaspal also holds a voluntary role as a panel member for the British Transport Police, to analyse and critique data to provide support and challenge with regards to all the touchpoints of stop and search.
Arv Kaushal
Since joining the education sector in 2007 Arvind Kaushal has been passionate about engaging students in the learning process. He has now widened his ambitions to improve outcomes for colleagues in their career aspirations.
His current role is the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion manager at Milton Keynes College Group. Prior to this he was a Specialist Leader in Education (specialising in Mathematics, and project management). His highlights have included being the programme lead for a DfE funded Equality & Diversity programme #BAMEintoLeadership, where he created a network of over 400 people passionate about making leadership in our schools more representative. He was also instrumental in creating and delivering professional development to thousands of educators in over 85 countries through the #LDeduchat series. He launched a second initiative called #FEVoices which focuses on inclusive practices in the further education sector. He volunteers his time and expertise to a wide range of networks locally and nationally.
His philosophy is that sustainable solutions can only be achieved through a positive and inclusive approach.
Related content from our resources library
