Please note the ACEN 11+ preparation school is on hold until September 2023.

In the meantime, we are actively looking for schools and organisations to partner with on this initiative as below.

If you are a parent or school that would like to register or refer a child to us, you can find more information and the expression of interest form located at the bottom of this page.

The trajectory between grammar/independent schools and Russell group universities, in addition to Oxford/Cambridge, is undeniable. Moreover, the interconnectedness between these top universities and those that go on to assume society’s top roles and decision-making positions is clear. ACEN aims to increase the number of children from African/Caribbean heritage on this trajectory at the earliest stage possible, with the specific objective of increasing the representation of Black people in decision-making positions within the workplace over a generation.

Our Rationale

It’s well documented that there is a lack of Black representation in all areas of civic, public, and corporate life, particularly in professional and decision-making roles.

Over generations, the opportunity of access has been unobtainable for Black people in the same way that it has been for White and other ethnic groups, resulting in lesser outcomes for the Black community at large. Politically, economically and socially, there are cost benefits to society with improved racial equality, notwithstanding the moral obligation for organisations to work towards racial equality where possible.

ACEN believes that opportunity lies in access to elite education as part of the quest for greater racial equality over a generation.

A study by the Sutton Trust found that those who hold the top jobs in politics, the judiciary, media, and business, are five times more likely to have been to an independent school than the general population.

According to the data presented in the BBC documentary ‘Will Britain Ever Have a Black Prime Minister‘, the biggest difference is not between a Black child and a non-rich White child, but rather, between these groups and those that attend an independent school. 

* Elitist Britain – https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Elitist-Britain-2019.pdf

Partners & Sponsors 

We are are actively looking for schools and organisations to partner with on this initiative. If you would like to find out more please contact aisha@aceducationnetwork.com

We are keen to open talks with corporate businesses and organisations who may be interested in official, large scale sponsorship of the school, as a means to ensure we’re able to extend this opportunity to as many children as possible. If you would like to see a copy of our full proposal please email shola@aceducationnetwork.com

If you would like to make a personal contribution, please do so below via PayPal.

ACEN sends a sincere thank you to those who are contributing to gifted children of African/Caribbean heritage, for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier in preparing for the examinations.

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO