Registration is now open for the fourth ACEN annual anti-racism conference, the only school-focused anti-racism event designed and delivered by students, teaching staff, and academics.

Date:         NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED
Location:   Whitgift School
Times:       09:30 – 16:00 (Staff) | 15:00 – 20:00 (Students Y10-13)

Building on the success of our annual events launched in 2021 which were held at Dulwich College, St Paul’s School, and City of London School, this year, we will review the complex challenges students face, focusing on how discrimination and social exclusion manifest in schools. We will examine gaps in reporting mechanisms and explore ways to enhance the identification of these issues with effective strategies for both direct and indirect interventions.

Additionally, in light of the recent race riots across the UK, data indicates that many educators will not address these issues because they feel ill-equipped. Therefore, the event will also focus on empowering those tasked with EDI to facilitate these conversations themselves, as well as empowering other staff to do the same. What’s more, we will be supporting attendees with practical guidance for keeping anti-racism on the map using an intersectional framework, complemented by direct advice from a panel of headteachers and school governors.

Event Address

Whitgift School
Haling Park Road
South Croydon
CR2 6YT

Workshops & themes this year:

• Co student-led workshop: Understanding our experiences and why we find it hard to report.
• Understanding how existing safeguarding and behavior systems can be used to better capture issues of bias and covert racism in schools.
• Keeping anti-racism on the agenda using an intersectional framework
• A panel of Heads and Governors advising on effective ways to make the case for sustained racial inclusion and top-down support.
• Keynote by Professor Derron Wallace: The Culture Trap: Understanding the origins of stereotypes within the UK and the impact of bias on self-fulfilling prophecies.      

Our speakers and workshop facilitators include:

• Keynote: Professor Derron Wallace | Professor of Sociology and author of ‘The Culture Trap’ 
• Justice Aina | Facilitator, ACEN, and PhD researcher at Durham University
• Chanel Noel | Strategic Inclusion Lead and Director of Community Partnerships at Highgate School
• Dr Enya Doyle | Inclusion Consultant & Facilitator, ACEN. Former Director of Inclusion at Highgate School 
• Andrew Isama | Master of Economics & Inclusion Education Officer at Eton College
• Aisha Sanusi | Director, ACEN, Lead EDI Governor at St Paul’s School, Trustee of Dunraven MAT and Education Advisory Board member at the Black Equity Organisation 
• Amber Scott | EDI Officer at Norwich School
• Jordan Sonko-Crawford | Vice Principal, Ark Elvin Academy
• Monia Zahid | Teacher of Economics & Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School
• ACEN Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) 

As ever, our conference is tailored to EDI leads and those with safeguarding responsibilities, as well as teaching staff with a keen interest and/or EDI responsibilities. 

As before, we will publish a list of schools in attendance on request from our members.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Non-fee-paying schools can register at a discounted rate. Please contact amber@aceducationnetwork.com for more information.

Evening Component for Students

In the evening, we will also be hosting a session for students of African Caribbean heritage.

Cambridge University will host workshops on personality types and career choices. Following this, a panel of prominent young leaders in business, media, and politics will discuss how to find, create, and leverage opportunities. The panel will cover topics like networking, co-curricular activities, and internships.

The evening will close with a keynote from Professor Jason Arday who will be talking to the power of networking, taking conventional and unconventional routes in one’s education and career thereafter, and coming out of your comfort zone.

Student tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and as before, we are encouraging schools to register students in groups, and where possible, facilitate the attendance of student groups. 

The event is open to students in Year 10-13 and is free.

In addition, we are offering a return evening coach service to East Croydon station which serves access to London Victoria and London Bridge stations in 15 minutes, and London Kings Cross in under 25 minutes. These will also be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, so again, we encourage early registration. There will be a charge of £5 per seat.

Refreshments and food will be provided. 

Timetable – TEACHING STAFF

Timetable – STUDENTS