The Anti Racist Education Alliance, Sheffield (AREAS) was formed following the REC. They are a group of passionate educators and professionals working across Sheffield’s education sector who are committed to advancing race outcomes for both staff and young people across Sheffield’s educational organisations and schools.
AREAS Vision Statement
We aim to assist Sheffield City Council in proactively eradicating systemic discrimination within all facets of education. Together, we will develop a range of strategic approaches to ensure that there is racial equality across the city. A central tenet of our work is the championing of Black and Global Majority educators and leaders, ending their underrepresentation. Our vision is that every educational provider in Sheffield will be actively anti-racist and inclusive. This will lead to a city-wide culture of respect, free from discrimination, where each pupil and staff member can feel a genuine sense of belonging.
AREAS meet every half term and if you are interested in joining the network, please contact Homaira Ibrahim (Race Equality Programme Manager) at Learn Sheffield- homaira.ibrahim@learnsheffield.co.uk
Terms of Reference (February 2025)
Anti Racist Education Alliance Sheffield (AREAS).
In July 2022, the city of Sheffield published its Race Equality Commission (REC) findings and recommendations. This was an independent, non-partisan strategic assessment of the nature, extent, causes and impact of race equality in the city and to make recommendations for tackling them.
It concluded that ‘race and racism remain significantly throughout the life course of Sheffield citizens.’
Education was one of the key themes which was scrutinised within the REC and recommendations and actions cited within the conclusions (see Appendix 1).
These findings led to Meredith Dixon-Teasdale (Strategic Director of Children’s Services) contacting a group of passionate Black Education Leaders across the city to work in partnership with Sheffield City Council to make a commitment to advance race outcomes for both staff and young people across Sheffield’s educational organisations and schools.
In November 2023 they formed a working group and in February 2025, the ‘Anti Racist Education Alliance Sheffield’ (AREAS) was officially named.
Vision Statement
We aim to assist Sheffield City Council in proactively eradicating systemic discrimination within all facets of education. Together, we will develop a range of strategic approaches to ensure that there is racial equality across the city. A central tenet of our work is the championing of Black and Global Majority educators and leaders, ending their underrepresentation. Our vision is that every educational provider in Sheffield will be actively anti-racist and inclusive. This will lead to a city wide culture of respect, free from discrimination, where each pupil and staff member can feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Purpose/ Role/ of AREAS.
- To develop a work plan and instigate action in advancing recruitment, retention and progression of school leaders from Black and Global Majority backgrounds (REC actions 6,7 and 10).
- To act in an advisory role and as a critical friend to Sheffield City Council and Learn Sheffield when meeting other REC education recommendations.
- To work in partnership, share best practice, provide a safe space, co-create action plans and strategies with the aim to develop quality anti racist practice across Sheffield’s educational settings.
VIn addition, the Anti-Racist Education Alliance Sheffield (AREAS) will:
- Help to establish and develop a network of professionals who will champion, and support work undertaken across the educational sector to advance race outcomes for staff and pupils across Sheffield’s educational organisations and schools.
- Work collaboratively and develop a community of practice to encourage membership of AREAS.
- To build, strengthen and consolidate relationships between network members, organisations, local partnerships, and educational settings.
- To be a critical friend to each other and to raise issues and areas of concern so they can be appropriately escalated or dealt with in the appropriate place.
- To provide a forum for the exchange of information, generate ideas and share views.
- Provide learning opportunities, peer support, networking, and advocacy.
- Help nurture a sense of belonging and voice for staff and children working in schools from Black and Global Majority backgrounds.
- Encourage professionals to engage, share and support each other as they face the challenges of building an anti-racist city.
Frequency Of Meetings:
AREAS will run half termly meetings totalling six meetings per academic year. Meetings will take place at Learn Sheffield (Albion House). The steering group consisting of the Chair, Vice Chair and Learn Sheffield will meet prior to these three scheduled meetings to set agendas, plan sessions, send out paperwork etc. Further meetings will be scheduled at the request of the group. Any partnership work or co-production that arises through the network will be coordinated by working group meetings outside of the network.
Membership
The network will be made up of professionals and practitioners or similar roles from educational organisations across the city of Sheffield. There will be a focus to attract staff from multi academy trusts and maintained schools from across the city. In terms of attendance, it is asked that no more than two members of staff from any given educational setting attend. Membership is open to any individual working in an educational setting / educational capacity who is passionate about advancing race outcomes across the city. There is also scope to include relevant organisations based locally, regionally, or nationally with an interest in participating in the network and supporting its objectives.
Roles and responsibilities
- Chair: Karen Harrison- (Sheffield University).
- Vice Chair: tbc
- Supporting role: Homaira Ibrahim- Race Equality Partnership Manager (Learn Sheffield).
- Secretariat Support- Ruth Powell (Learn Sheffield).
Ways of Working / Sharing of Information and Resources (including confidential materials):
- Members of the group will proactively participate in the work of the group, contributing to forward plans, delivering actions and providing updates.
- AREAS provides a forum to promote anti racist education work and help advance race outcomes across the city, so it is expected that participation in the group is constructive and collaborative.
- As an operational coordination group there is no quoracy requirement.
- All group members will commit to attendance, if unable to attend a meeting, will still receive action points.
- Members will be asked to respect confidentiality and any discussions during the meetings (especially those relating to individual experiences) be kept confidential.
- All members will show respect within meetings, listening to the viewpoint of others.
- AREAS webpage will be kept up to date on Learn Sheffield’s website.
Actions
Action notes will be recorded and shared post meeting via email by Ruth Powell (Learn Sheffield) and action owners will be asked in advance if the next meeting to provide updates to ensure delivery.
Website
AREAS will have their information displayed and kept up to date on the Learn Sheffield website, Information will be available about how to join the network.
Governance
The group is not a formal decision maker and acts in an advisory and developmental capacity. It will coordinate progress updates and provide an annual report to Meredith Dixon Teasdale (Strategic Director of Children and Families, Sheffield City Council).
Review
Terms of Reference will be reviewed every twelve months. This will involve evaluation and monitoring of effectiveness and impact. Feedback will be collected from members, reviewing activities, and measuring outcomes against AREAS’s objectives and action plans. This information will be shared via the annual report.