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Education – The Black British Experience (Then & Now)

Wednesday 26 March

Join us for an event that will delve into the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black British students in the education system.

Join us for “Education: The Black British Experience (Then and Now)”, an event that will delve into the significant historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black British students in the education system. This event will explore the practice of wrongly labelling black children as ‘educationally subnormal’ in the 1960s and 1970s. It will reflect on the emergence of supplementary schools as a vital response to these challenges and the key role they played in providing culturally relevant education and support. Our speakers will bring us up to date on ongoing disparities and will aim to foster a constructive dialogue around strategies for future success, emphasising the importance of community and parental involvement, advocacy and innovative educational practices.

We hope this vital conversation will contribute to conversations around the empowerment of future generations and the desire for an educational system that brings out the best in all students.

Speakers

  • Professor Gus John (co-founder of CEN)
  • Maisie Barrett (ESN school survivor, author, and activist)
  • Dr Nkasi Stoll (Researcher, mental health, and well-being of Black students in Universities)
  • Dionne Campbell-Mark (Advocacy Manger and Parent Co-ordinator, CEN)

Professor Gus John is a writer, education campaigner, community activist and life-long Pan-Africanist, a learning facilitator, and management consultant. He co-founded the first Black Supplementary School in Oxford (Cowley and Blackbird Leys) in 1966 and Birmingham (Handsworth) in 1968. He was Britain’s first Black Director of Education and Leisure Services. John chaired the Black Parents Movement (Manchester) and co-founded with Gerry German, the Communities Empowerment Network (CEN). He is author of several books including The Crisis Facing Black Children in the British School System (2003), Taking A Stand: On Education, Race, Social Action and Civil Unrest, 1980-2005 (2006) andmore recently Don’t Salvage the Empire Windrush (2023).

Maisie Barrett is a passionate author, advocate, and community leader dedicated to justice, equality, and the power of storytelling. Featured in Steve McQueen’s documentary “Subnormal: A British Scandal,” She overcame systemic racism in the British education system. Her experiences inspired her to write Subnormal: How I was failed by the British Education System and Colonial Family (2023) and A Windrush Story: What If? (2025), a fantasy scenario exploring how her life might have been different if she had received proper educational support. Despite early setbacks, Barrett earned four university degrees. She is also a prominent figure in the campaign to secure acknowledgment, apologies, and compensation from the government for the systemic racial injustices faced by the children of her generation. Barrett’s book will be available for purchase and signature on the day of the event.

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