By Aaliya Sohail
⏱ Thursday 15th October 2020

Our tutor Aaliya, who studies at Edge Hill University, shares some of her thoughts and research on the disadvantages faced by BAME pupils.

Here at Tutor Trust, we believe everyone should have access to quality education no matter what their ethnicity is. However, we know that this is not the case for all. In trying to educate ourselves to ensure we are more diverse and provide everyone with equal opportunities, we have found evidence to show BAME students are more likely to be disadvantaged in regard to education (Gillborn & Mirza, 2000). As a team we find it devastating that a person’s ethnicity can determine their access to education, so we want to help.

If you work for us or have read up on the core beliefs of our charity, you will know that one of the main reasons we do what we do is to close the attainment gap. Research has shown Black students, along with Asian and Minority Ethnic students, face a higher attainment gap in comparison to other ethnic groups (Alves, 2019). We have also found Black males experience less success at school with the highest dropout rates, poorest achievement and lowest test scores due to achievement barriers that gifted Black males seem to face (Whiting, 2009).

We have all seen the media coverage on the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement that seems to be focused on Black adults. But are we aware these disadvantages start from a young age? Why is it that talented Black male students are experiencing high levels of school failure?  Shouldn’t we all be pushed to reach our full potential?

So, how can we help? We need to continue doing what we are doing with the help of our brilliant team and amazing tutors. Research has shown strong evidence that tutoring can narrow the BAME attainment gap.

Studies show that when a student has someone they feel they can relate to it helps not only academic aspirations but personal ones as well (Alves, 2019). This shows the importance of Tutor Trust being able to provide tutors from a range of different backgrounds that will be able to connect with the students.

We can see from the impact we have in schools that we are slowly but surely making a difference to the future generation. We can’t wait to see the difference we make in the new 2020/2021 school year.

 

If you would like to read more on the issues discussed, please find references below to all articles discussed.

Alves, R. (2019). Could personal tutoring help improve the attainment gap of black, Asian and minority ethnic students. Blended Learning in Practice (2019): 66-76.

Gillborn, D., Mizra, H. S, (2000). Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender. A Synthesis of Research Evidence.  

Whiting, G. (2009). Gifted Black males: Understanding and decreasing barriers to achievement and identity. Roper Review, 31(4), 224-223.

Date of publication: 15/10/2020