Exploring Intersectionality in Schools: Voices on Race and SEND for Advocacy and Change (Together We Rise)

This accessible and informative guide explores the intersection of race, disability, neurodivergence, and education, emphasising the importance of taking an intersectional approach to address the unique challenges faced by
marginalised and minoritised students.

The chapters feature rich, honest conversations with advocates in education who generously share their professional and lived experiences. These stories were not easy to tell, they are deeply personal and often challenging to hear, but they are shared with courage and openness to drive meaningful change. In amplifying these voices, the book delves into a wide range of pertinent topics from bias and stereotyping to misdiagnosis, mental health, and safeguarding, offering a holistic understanding of intersectionality. Throughout, the book provides actionable strategies and real world examples of successful practices, with guidance included to create supportive learning environments, ensure valuable ongoing teacher development, and collaborate with families and communities.

Exploring Intersectionality in Schools encourages advocacy and inspires change, offering thoughtful insights and concrete tools to transform educational practices and policies. It is essential reading for all educators, policymakers, advocates, parents, and carers.

Frances Akinde is a former local authority inspector and advisor for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), a former headteacher of a secondary special school (11–19) for autistic learners, a qualified Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO), and an anti-racism coach for Leeds Beckett University (CRED), UK. Over the last 20 years, Frances has held a variety of roles across primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, as well as in local authority settings.

Drawing on her lived experience as a neurodivergent educator with hearing loss and as part of a proudly neurodivergent Black family, Frances champions approaches that honour identity, respect difference, and promote equity and inclusion in every classroom.

In 2023, Frances co-launched the BAMEed SEND hub as part of the BAMEed Network, a network for educators committed to promoting equity and addressing racial disparities in education. She also runs her own consultancy service, Inclusion HT.