Popular questions on recruiting ethnic minorities – taken from
the TDA website June 2010.
Are there any targets for recruiting a higher proportion of high-quality
trainees with a minority ethnic background, and what progress is
being made on this?
15 per cent of pupils in secondary and 18 per cent of pupils in primary maintained schools are from minority
ethnic groups compared to 12 per cent of new entrants to initial teacher training (ITT) in 2006.
This exceeded the national target of 10.5 per cent. The TDA and ITT providers are working to increase the
numbers of trainees with a minority ethnic background recruited each year and to improve the retention on
programmes. This is approximately 4,000 minority ethnic trainees in 2007.
How can we as ITT providers help towards meeting the national
targets for minority ethnic recruitment?
The TDA is monitoring and evaluating progress towards the national target by considering the individual
contributions of ITT providers. Although minority ethnic recruitment is still a priority for us, a much greater
emphasis has now been placed on improving retention.
Working with all ITT providers, and through the TDA’s Provider link advisers (PLAs), we have developed a
new approach to setting provider targets. New advisory targets have been set for recruitment to 2008/09
academic year and vary depending on the location of providers. Each provider is making a contribution to
the national recruitment objective. This contribution is based on:
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each provider’s opportunity to recruit trainees from a minority ethnic background in the local,
surrounding and national area, and
average recruitment based on the last three years for HEI/SCITT providers and two years for
EBITT providers.
What funding can we get to support our recruitment practices?
Since 2002, we have allocated sustained funding of over £1 million each year for to support your efforts to
develop and refine sustainable new practices enabling you to recruit and retain more trainees from minority
ethnic communities. This funding is for:
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providing race awareness training for staff involved in ITT courses
reviewing and refining recruitment processes
developing targeted marketing of ITT courses to minority ethnic communities
running application support workshops
updating school mentor training
supporting other activities aimed at improving recruitment and retention.
If you have been able to increase recruitment and retention of trainees from a minority ethnic background,
on an ongoing basis you will be:
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reviewing data on enquiries, applications, acceptances and registrations
identifying any areas for further enquiry
reviewing your recruitment process based on the experience of minority ethnic applicants
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identifying why some minority ethnic applicants were not successful and considering the
implications for their recruitment process
investigating reasons for minority ethnic applicants not registering for courses
encouraging all trainees to declare their ethnicity.
Has any research been done looking into why minority ethnic trainees
withdraw from initial teacher training (ITT) courses?
In 2003, we commissioned research to look into the reasons why minority ethnic trainees withdraw from
ITT courses and to help in meeting objectives for providers to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of highquality trainees for ITT from under-represented groups. The research included recommendations for the
TDA, ITT providers and placement schools. The focus of the research was on:
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identifying the key factors leading to withdrawal from ITT courses by minority ethnic trainees
quantifying withdrawals and completion from postgraduate and undergraduate levels in ITT
courses for 2000/01, 2001/02 (and if available 2002/03) of minority ethnic trainees
exploring the factors leading to withdrawal from ITT courses by non-minority ethnic trainees, to
compare and contrast the factors influencing both groups (ie. minority ethnic and non-minority ethnic)
establishing from each group, the trainees’ perceptions of difficulties they faced and the factors
influencing their decision to withdraw
recommending strategies for minimising dropout rates among minority ethnic trainees.
This research aimed at building on an earlier study commissioned in 2001 which looked at the wider issue
of withdrawals from ITT courses at PGCE level.
Quantitative and qualitative information was collected, but it must be stressed that care is needed in
generalising the findings from the research sample. The sample included 34 ITT institutions, 99 minority
ethnic trainees who withdrew from their ITT course, 85 majority ethnic trainees who withdrew from their ITT
course, and 17 minority ethnic trainees who completed their ITT course. We believe the recommendations
are practical and reasonable.
Findings from this research were made available to providers of ITT courses at the twice-yearly ITT
provider conferences. This enabled providers to reflect on the implications of the findings for their courses.
This also highlights the need to ensure that such projects do not finish at the completion of the research but
that disseminating and interpreting findings is a key part of the process.
What publications are available dealing with minority ethnicity in
teaching?
Here is a selection you may find useful:
Ethnicity and the professional socialisation of teachers: This report (by Bruce Carrington et al) summarises
a two-year study into the recruitment of people from minority ethnic groups to the teaching profession. It
also covers their subsequent experiences during training and first appointment. The report’s
recommendations are informing investment into removing barriers for minority ethnic trainees.
Effective practice for training providers: This is a range of online information guides intended to help initial
teacher training (ITT) providers improve recruitment and retention of trainees from minority ethnic
communities for training providers. They cover:
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raising staff awareness
interviewing and selection
forging partnerships with local schools
targeted marketing.
To order copies of these guides or other Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) publications:
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e-mail publications@tda.gov.uk
phone 0845 6060323
Are there any other websites where we might find useful information
on equality and diversity issues, or on support and counselling for
teachers and trainee teachers?
You may find these websites useful:
Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) – The CRE is a publicly funded, non-governmental body. It works in
the public and private sectors to encourage fair treatment and to promote equal opportunities for everyone,
regardless of their race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin.
Windrush Awards – The annual Windrush champion of the year awards celebrate and honour role models,
creativity and achievement among minority ethnic groups and individuals. It is the only event of its kind to
recognise both the African Caribbean and Asian communities.
People in Harmony – This is an interracial, anti-racist organisation that promotes the positive experience of
interracial life in Britain today and challenge racism, prejudice and ignorance in society.
Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) – The EOC is the leading agency working to eliminate sex
discrimination in 21st century Britain. Through campaigns, education, research and advice, the EOC aims
to promote equal status and pay for women, combat stereotyping and sexual harassment, and make public
services relevant to the differing needs of men and women.
The Teacher Support Network – The Teacher Support Network is the international, independent charity
that provides free support services to improve the wellbeing and effectiveness of those working in
education in the UK and US.
All of Teacher Support Network’s services are free and confidential and include:
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an email coaching system – Teacher Support Online
confidential counselling, money advice and financial assistance via Teacher Support Line –
08000 562 561 (England) and 08000 855 088 (Wales)
factsheets, guides and referrals to relevant organisations via the Teacher Support Network
InfoCentre on the Teacher Support Network website
Clicking on one of these links will take you out of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)
website. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of any external websites.
If you have a site you think might be useful for others involved in training teachers to know about, please let
us know at merecruitment@tda.gov.uk