BMet BAME Network: Driving Anti-Racist Change in Further Education

The BMet BAME Network is an employee-led collective advancing racial equity and inclusion across Birmingham Metropolitan College. Founded in 2018 by six staff members and the EDI Manager, the Network has become a sector-leading model for inclusive practice—named Employee Resource Group of the Year at the Black Talent Awards 2023.
Based in one of the UK’s most diverse cities, BMet serves a student population where 68% identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic. Yet in 2018, just 11% of college leadership came from these backgrounds. The Network was born to challenge this disparity—ensuring BAME voices could influence college culture, policy, and decision-making.
Initially focusing on staff experiences, the Network facilitated focus groups and developed recommendations that shaped BMet’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategy. This work directly contributed to the rise in BAME leadership representation to 22% by 2025. Now formally embedded in college governance, the Network advises SLT, HR, Quality, and Safeguarding on key EDI strategy and delivery.
Its pioneering work includes:

* COVID-19 Response: BMet was one of the only West Midlands FE college to recognise ethnicity as a formal risk factor in return-to-work planning. Individualised safety plans were introduced to protect BAME staff during the pandemic.
* Disciplinary Reform: The Network identified overrepresentation of BAME staff and students in disciplinary actions. Through trauma-informed reviews and CPD, processes were reformed to build trust and reduce disproportionality.
* Realise Mentoring: This programme pairs Black and Asian students with BAME staff mentors, improving academic outcomes and narrowing the achievement gap from 11.7% to 9.1%.
* Ramadan Equity Project: Developed in collaboration with Muslim staff and students, this initiative introduced cultural awareness guidance, tutorial resources, and inclusive timetabling—engaging over 5,000 students annually.
* Safeguarding Reform: Thanks to Network advocacy, racism is now recognised as a safeguarding concern at BMet. This has led to new protocols, staff training, and student guidance to better respond to racial harm.
* Tutorial Enrichment Reform: The Network reshaped the Tutorial Elements Programme to embed anti-racism, Black history, and social justice—ensuring enrichment reflects the identities and lived experiences of students.
* BAME Supported Leadership: Launched in 2018 to develop BAME staff progression, this programme has seen 62% of participants move into leadership roles and has since been adopted across the West Midlands region.
Governed by an elected Chair, Deputy Chair and Secretary, the Network has over 70 members spanning curriculum and professional services. Its influence extends nationally through partnerships with the AoC, Black Leadership Group, and Leaders Unlocked—supporting CPD, curriculum reform, and sector policy.
Measured Impact
* BAME leadership increased from 11% to 22%
* Student achievement gap reduced from 11.7% to 9.1%
* Over 5,000 students engaged in inclusive enrichment
* Disciplinary processes reformed with equity focus
* Racism embedded in safeguarding protocols
The BMet BAME Network is a bold, embedded, and transformational force in Further Education—redefining what a diversity network can achieve through courage, strategy, and community-led change.