St Mary’s students strive to diversify the education sector

Students at St Mary’s Catholic College, Wallasey, have been working together to improve diversity in education.

Formed in January 2022 in partnership with the University of Liverpool, the school’s Diversity Group was created in response to pupil voice that highlighted barriers that existed for some groups of students. The group is formed of 14 students from various backgrounds across multiple year groups who want to make a difference in the community.

Loud Speaker, an organisation that aspires to give young people the confidence to achieve their goals, has been supporting the group through the journey, delivering workshops, and encouraging them to make the most of each opportunity.

The Diversity Group meet regularly on a Friday afternoon with Mr George and Lydia Redican from the University of Liverpool, to take part in sessions that explore the university’s Race Equality Charter submission to Advance HE, Guild, and campaigning.

During a visit to London, the young people explored the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square and learnt about the history of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK. Students also visited the University of York in June to meet with the York Black Access Team.

These visits allow the St Mary’s Diversity Group to further educate themselves about diversity and barriers in education and hear from a range of voices.

The next steps for the group include discussions with the senior leadership team to look at the school curriculum and policies and how to raise awareness of their work to positively affect all pupils across the school.

Mr George said: “I have never been prouder of a group of young people. The work they have already done is fantastic, and they are about to make a huge impact for years to come for future students coming to St Mary’s like themselves.”