A community-led meeting at Greenford Library next month will address school exclusions and racial disparities in education across Ealing – the first event of its kind since the borough’s Race Equality Commission published its recommendations.
The meeting, on 12 June 2025, is being organised by the Preventing School Exclusions Network, a coalition of local organisations working to reduce the disproportionate exclusion of children from marginalised communities. The event aims to bring together families, educators, community leaders and policymakers to share experiences, build partnerships, and develop strategies for inclusive reform.
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.”
Confirmed speakers include Marion Budd, headteacher at Northolt High School; Sarah Thompson, Ealing Council’s school partnerships lead; Elly Heaton, CEO of Young Ealing Foundation and Mr Banjoko himself. The programme will include panel discussions and contributions from those with lived experience of exclusion.
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.”
The event is free and open to all residents, including students. Registration is available 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.”
