What Should Schools Be Teaching Our Children?

Community Groups Host Public Meeting on the Future of Education

As the UK government undertakes a major review of the national school curriculum, two prominent organisations—Decolonising Education Empowerment Project and the Birmingham Racial Impact Group—are calling on parents, educators, and the wider community to make their voices heard. On Thursday 10th July 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00pm, a public meeting will be held at Soho House, Handsworth, B18 5LB, under the banner: What Should Schools Be Teaching Our Children?

The event will feature keynote speakers Professor Gus John, former director of education and a long-standing advocate for racial justice in schools, and Ingrid Abrahams, a respected headteacher known for her progressive leadership in education. The discussion will be chaired by Dr Rashida Sharif, an experienced educationalist and Ofsted inspector, who will guide the conversation on what a relevant and inclusive curriculum should look like in 21st-century Britain.

Organisers stress that this is a critical moment for educational reform. With the government currently revisiting what is taught in schools, there is growing concern that the curriculum may continue to marginalise Black British history, global perspectives, and essential life skills needed for today’s world of work and social change.

“This is about more than exam results,” said one organiser. “It’s about shaping a curriculum that reflects the lived experiences of all children, equips them with critical thinking, and prepares them to thrive in a diverse, fast-changing society.”

The public meeting aims to give a platform to those often left out of the decision-making process—particularly parents, young people, and educators from minority communities. It’s also a space to explore how decolonising the curriculum can empower students to better understand the world around them and their place within it.

For those interested in learning more ahead of the event, Birmingham Against The Cuts published a detailed background piece on 18 June exploring the key issues at stake in the curriculum review. The article is available at:
https://birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com/2025/06/18/what-should-schools-be-teaching-our-children/

As education policy continues to shape the future of the next generation, events like this offer a vital opportunity for public engagement and collective action. The message from organisers is clear: the curriculum must reflect the realities and needs of today’s Britain—and it’s up to all of us to help shape it.