Below is a Poster I and another Teacher, Alison McGrath researched and designed. What we found was eye-opening.

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Findings: The class divide between students who go on to further education and the disparity between different classes attitudes towards teachers and school are in part due to the lack of diversity amongst teaching staff. Students cannot relate to the backgrounds of their teachers as they do not reflect the profile of the students. This leads to students being unable to imagine themselves in such a role and in some cases unable to see themselves going on to further education. It is a self-perpetuating problem. If children only see one "type" of teacher they may exclude themselves from the profession or from pursuing educational development entirely. Children need to see relatable role models. As said by Anissa Majeed (secondary school teacher, The Irish Times), role models provide "a story of success" for students to look up to, which can make them feel they too are capable of achieving something. It's important for students to have role models "from every race, religion, socioeconomic background and education level so they can have someone similar to relate to". "They need to see that people similar to them are successful and have not just been written off." Diversity is growing in the classroom. The teaching protession, it is clear, is tailing to reflect modern society.