Representation begins with recruitment – it is sustained by culture

ISABEL MUPITA, ELEANOR GLANVILLE INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN, UK Why this research matters The pupil population in England is becoming increasingly diverse. The teaching workforce, however, remains disproportionately White British (Department for Education, 2023). This gap between the diversity of pupils and teachers has been widely discussed in research and policy for many years (Demie and See, 2023; Gorard et al., 2023). For school leaders facing recruitment pressures, this is not only a representation issue. It is also a workforce sustainability issue. If the profession does not attract and retain teachers from a wide range of backgrounds, it risks narrowing rather than expanding its talent pool. Much of the national conversation has focused on recruitment. But recruitment alone cannot solve the challenge. Teachers also need to feel able to remain and progress within the profession. This study explored three questions that many schools are already grappling with: W