Raising the achievement of African-Caribbean KS3 & 4 pupils in Mathematics, Science and Technology

There was a morning conference at the MEC on Thursday 15 May 1997, which focussed on identifying the factors which are preventing achievement for this group of pupils, and positive action points to overcome these factors.

John Hill (Birmingham LEA research and statistics manager) talked about achievement trends in Birmingham using the Baseline, SATs and GCSE assessment information.

Elizabeth Rasekoala, representing The African Caribbean Network for Science and Technology, talked about the national context and the network's activities in Manchester and Liverpool to address underachievement.

The aims of the conference were to:

raise staff awareness of underachievement amongst this group of pupils,
hear about "what is working" to raise pupil self esteem and aspirations,
identify the key issues at both subject and whole school level,
propose action points for follow up.

Invitations were sent to Head Teachers and heads of maths, science and technology from Birmingham Schools with a high proportion of African - Caribbean pupils