Diversity in education is not a trend. It is the future.
A national celebration of diversity in education across the UK
Shine the Light
When we shine a light, others start to see what is possible.
Share the Story
Visibility is power and stories make it all possible.
Shift the System
A better system starts with the people already changing it from within.
About the National Education Diversity Awards
The National Education Diversity Awards is the UK’s national celebration dedicated to equity, diversity and representation in education.
Why This Matters
The awards come at a time when the education sector faces urgent challenges in recruiting and retaining their workforce.
Too few educators reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Women, ethnic minorities, career changers, and returners are often overlooked – or driven out by inflexible systems.
Despite this, there are changemakers rethinking recruitment, championing inclusion and building a workforce that looks like the world it serves.
It is time to spotlight those in education building inclusive, representative and sustainable working cultures across education!
Who We Celebrate
We shine a light on the people and practices transforming education – from grassroots changemakers to multi-academy trusts reimagining leadership, recruitment and inclusion at every level.
From early years to further education, we honour those building inclusive school cultures, championing flexible working and creating space for every voice, especially those historically underrepresented in the classroom, staffroom and boardroom.
We celebrate educators from diverse backgrounds, those with disabilities, LGBTQ+, career changers and returning mothers and more. All whose lived experiences strengthens the profession and brings it closer to the communities it serves.
The Future of Education
These awards are about more than recognition. They are about shifting what is seen, what is valued and ultimately, what is possible.
The future of education depends on ensuring our schools have a workforce where our educators thrive so our children receive the education they deserve.
The Awards
The Inaugural Celebration Takes Place In 2026!
Together, we will honour the people and practices transforming education.
Award categories, the nomination process and the full event timeline will be announced soon.
Sign up to be the first to know when we launch.
Some Research Behind The Awards
These statistics tell a story, one of inequity, invisible effort and a profession under pressure.
Yet despite the data, there are individuals, schools and organisations leading change every day.
The National Education Diversity Awards exists to shine a light on those changing the statistics. Together we will ensure that every student in the UK is taught by teachers who are seen, supported and proud to stay.
…are the single biggest group leaving teaching each year.
Women represent 75% of the workforce. Mothers who left teaching cited excessive workload and lack of flexible working arrangements.
The MTPT Project and The New Britain Project, Missing Mothers Report (2024) Source
…of teaching staff who say they were considering leaving cited lack of flexible working opportunities as one of the reasons.
Flexible working supports recruitment and retention, especially when considering health, faith and caring responsibilities.
Department for Education, More Teachers To Benefit From Flexible Working Press Release (2025) Source
...of the teaching workforce are Black or Black British. Asian or Asian British teachers make up only 5.8% of the workforce.
These figures are not representative of the country as a whole. Across England and Wales, 4% is Black and 9.3% of the population is Asian. There are huge ethnicity disparities in entry to teacher training, teacher retention and progression.
Department for Education School, 2024 Workforce Census (2025) Source 1 National Foundation for Educational Research & Mission 44, Ethnic disparities in entry to teacher training, teacher retention and progression to leadership (2025) Source 2
Muslim, Hindu and Sikh staff are ten times more likely to feel excluded.
Every teacher who practices their faith should be fully welcomed in an inclusive professional environment.
Global Equality Collective (GEC), Inclusion and Belonging in Schools Report (2025) Source
Sponsorship
Be part of something groundbreaking
Join us as a sponsor or partner
We are inviting organisations to become founding sponsors or partners of the inaugural National Education Diversity Awards.
Whether you are looking to sponsor the event or partner with us to amplify the movement, we would love to hear from you.
By supporting this work, you are standing with teachers, leaders and change makers shaping a more inclusive sustainable profession. A profession that not only reflects the communities it serves but also helps build the future workforce of our country, our children.
A sponsorship pack will soon be available on request.
Together, we can shine a light on those shifting the system.
Become a Sponsor or Partner
Endorsing Organisations
We are proud to be supported by organisations endorsing a more inclusive and sustainable future for education
More to be announced soon
