Notting Hill Carnival Strategic Review - Intelligent Space

Standards in Education report on Fox Primary, described how its initiatives, including
participation in the Notting Hill Carnival, has enriched the school’s life.
4.17 Much has been written about how to address the under achievement rates of black and ethnic
minority pupils in the education system. The Mayor of London has hosted several
conferences to explore the underachievement of African Caribbean children, particularly
young boys. These conferences 89 have revealed that schools still have low expectations of
black pupils, many of whom are failing to meet the benchmark of five GCSEs at grades A-C.
This is in direct contrast to research, which shows that black children entering the school
system at the age of five years have higher levels of attainment than their fellow white
counterparts. By the time these children reach 16, they have some of the worst examination
results among ethnic groups. Much of this disparity has been attributed to cultural and
discriminatory factors including the fact that black males in particular are up to five times
more likely to be excluded from school than white males. The educationalist Dr Richard
Majors has maintained that teachers may exclude black boys because they do not understand
their culture and misinterpret some of their actions.
4.18 In 1996, Professor David Gillborn of the Institute of Education found that three out of four
black pupils were excluded from school for their attitude. And yet the importance of
education in combating racism and discrimination has been recognised by many. The CRE has
stated that “education has a key role to play in eradicating racism and valuing diversity. The
government’s acceptance of the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report,
published in 1999, reinforces this responsibility for all educational establishments, including
those with few or no ethnic minorities.” Carnival arts appear to be an appropriate subject to
use to raise the interests of young black children whilst incorporating a multicultural
education approach. But in the majority of schools, it is not happening. Reinforced by media
portrayals of the Notting Hill Carnival, many teachers continue see Carnival Arts as something
which is too closely connected with ‘street or party culture’. In spite of this, those teachers
with experience of or an interest in the Carnival Arts believe that it is a viable option in the
curriculum and schools that have offered it have proved that one of the most important
aspects of the art form is its inclusiveness. Such inclusive practice makes it a good subject for
citizenship.
4.19 Young people can be receptive to the Carnival and it is often the case that those who appear
to be disinterested in education can participate with surprising results. Research by Dr Viv
Golding of Leicester University 90 revealed that a group of disaffected young people improved
their GCSE results when they were offered a carnival arts project. It proved to be a way to
tackle underachievement especially among black youths. Of the students who participated in
the scheme 77 per cent attained grades A-C in their GCSE art examinations. Overall, the
students felt that they were participating in something that was relevant and of interest to
them. One teacher noted that even the most reluctant students gained some self esteem as a
result of taking an active part in the whole process of carnival.
89
In 2002, Mayor Livingstone hosted the first ever pan-London conference focusing on the inequalities in educational attainment
experienced by children of African and Caribbean heritage in London’s schools. Over 2,000 people attended the ‘London Schools and
the Black Child’ conference, which has become an annual event in the London’s calendar.
90
Unpublished.
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