British Somali Educators Association relaunches to boost leadership for teachers
The British Somali Educators Association (BSEA) is relaunching this April with an in-person event in Wembley, London. The network aims to support Somali teachers and teaching assistants as they progress in their careers, particularly into leadership roles.
The association was first established in 2021 by Baar Hersi, an assistant headteacher. However, it was temporarily paused due to the pressures of post-Covid teaching demands. Now, BSEA is restarting its mission to help Somali educators navigate teaching routes, access mentorship, and advance into middle and senior leadership positions.
The UK is home to one of the largest Somali diasporas in Europe, with over 176,000 people identifying as Somali in the 2021 census. Despite this, teachers from Black backgrounds—including Somalis—remain under-represented, especially in school leadership. BSEA wants to change this by creating a platform that celebrates Somali educators and encourages more young people to consider teaching.
Educators can engage with BSEA through social media, attend its events, or volunteer as mentors for those entering the profession. The association also believes that greater representation in classrooms can inspire Somali pupils and raise their aspirations.
The relaunch event in April will mark the start of BSEA's renewed efforts to support Somali teachers at every career stage. By offering mentorship and professional development, the association hopes to increase representation and recognition for Somali educators across the UK.
