On Wednesday 11th February 2026, the Education Service celebrated a historic milestone for the Archdiocese of Southwark with the inaugural Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Headteachers Forum.
The event, hosted in Orpington, was chaired by Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for the South East and Chair of the Commission for Promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion. This forum serves as a cornerstone of the Archdiocese’s ongoing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) journey, reflecting a commitment to ensuring every school leader’s voice is valued.
Highlights from the Day
Guest speaker Alicia Douglas from St Mary’s University shared her own journey and led the dialogue to sharing the story of success.
Attendees engaged spoke about their personal leadership experiences, celebrating hard-won successes, and vocalising a collective desire for systemic change.
The forum is more than a one-time event; it is a permanent commitment to supporting diverse voices and driving effective EDI strategies across all Southwark schools.
Looking Ahead
Following the success of this first meeting, the Education Service will continue to host regular sessions to strengthen partnerships and develop practical solutions for racial justice within the classroom.
Many thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to this vital step forward for our Catholic community.
