As 2025 comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the year through the lens of attainment, opportunity and what it truly means to support every young person to thrive. National data continues to prompt important conversations about outcomes, but this year reminded me that progress is shaped just as much by how we work with pupils as by the policies and frameworks that sit around them.
One of the most valuable moments of reflection came at the Racial Equity Networking Dinner London 2025, where educators, leaders and colleagues gathered not just to talk strategy, but to share experiences, set intentions for continued inclusion, and quite simply, break bread together. It was a powerful reminder that equity work is sustained through both professional dialogue and human connection.
1. Equity lives in how policy is applied
Policies are necessary, but this year reinforced for me that equity for pupils often comes down to how those policies are interpreted and enforced day to day. Consistency matters, but so does understanding context. Pupils thrive when expectations are clear and when adults are skilled at responding to individual needs with fairness and care.
Conversations at the networking dinner echoed this sentiment. Many colleagues reflected on the importance of applying policy with intention, ensuring it supports engagement and progress rather than unintentionally creating barriers.
2. Representation remains a powerful driver
Another recurring theme this year has been the importance of pupils seeing role models who reflect their identities and experiences. Representation in staffing, leadership, curriculum and wider school life, plays a significant role in shaping confidence, aspiration and belonging.
From my own experience in education, and through ongoing work celebrating Black (British) and Caribbean culture, I’ve seen how visibility can shift how pupils view themselves and their potential. This was also a shared reflection at the dinner: that role models matter, and that seeing “someone like me” can be transformative.
3. Intervention works best when it’s relational
Across 2025, early and well-structured intervention has continued to prove its value. This is where the work of PGS-Educators has stood out, supporting schools to re-engage pupils through clear expectations, consistent routines and strong relationships. Their approach reinforces the idea that when pupils feel understood and supported, both behaviour and attainment improve.
This aligns closely with what colleagues shared at the networking dinner: that sustainable inclusion isn’t about quick fixes, but about investing time, trust and structure.
4. Equity is built in everyday practice
Rather than being confined to strategy documents, equity is shaped in the everyday moments:
* how pupils are spoken to,
* how their experiences are acknowledged,
* how learning is adapted without lowering expectations.
Celebrating identity, fostering belonging, and maintaining high standards are not competing priorities, they work best together.
5. Moving forward together
As we look ahead to 2026, the conversations from this year, in schools, in classrooms, and around tables at events like the Racial Equity Networking Dinner, point towards a shared goal: continued inclusion that is thoughtful, practical and rooted in community.
For me, the priorities remain clear:
- Fair and consistent practice
- Visible role models
- Strong relationship
- Early, purposeful support
2025 reminded me that equity is not a destination, but a collective commitment, one strengthened when we listen to each other, learn together, and keep pupils at the centre of every decision.