Register your interest
Join us for a day of inspiring, honest and practical professional development designed for teachers looking to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Taking place in February half-term, Creating an Inclusive Classroom explores how we can re-examine our teaching practices to better support the intersectional identities and learning needs of students.
Educator and writer Joy Mbakwe, artist and teacher Dianne Minnicucci and SLG Teacher-in-residence Niall Deegan will share strategies, resources and examples from their own teaching and creative practices.
Since 2022, the South London Gallery has been working closely with educators to build confidence in anti-racist and decolonial teaching practices. Our annual study day offers teachers space to reflect, learn, and connect with peers who are committed to change. This day is designed to be thought-provoking and to create an environment for reflection and peer collaboration, so that participants leave feeling energised and equipped.
What we’ll explore:
- What does an inclusive classroom look and feel like?
- How can teachers embed anti-racist and inclusive practice every day?
- What might it look like to reimagine classroom hierarchies and create more equitable learning spaces?
- How can teachers advocate for change within their school?
Who can attend?
- Teachers working across all levels and subject areas
- Teaching assistants, support staff and trainee teachers
- Artists working in school contexts
Why attend?
- Hear inspiring presentations from other teachers and practitioners
- Connect with peers and take away strategies, actions and ideas to build into your practice
- Be part of a growing community committed to anti-racism and inclusion in education
Further information
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
We have two childcare bursaries available for parents or carers. These will be paid directly to successful applicants to help cover childcare costs to help remove childcare barriers to attendance.
Register your interest
Please complete the expression of interest form before Friday 30 January, 5pm. Places will be allocated based on availability, with priority given to teachers working in Southwark, Lewisham and Lambeth.
ABOUT
Joy Mbakwe is an educator, speaker and consultant who uses courageous conversations as a catalyst for cultural and organisational change. She began her career as a Teaching Assistant, quickly discovering a passion for transforming learning environments and challenging inequitable systems. With a PGCE in English and Drama from UCL, Joy progressed to Head of English and then Assistant Headteacher within five years, where she led on community, culture and systemic change. Her work spans curriculum redesign, leadership development, media contributions and brand collaborations, with a consistent focus on relevance, representation and impact. Now consulting across schools and organisations, Joy supports leaders and teams to reimagine culture, strengthen engagement and drive meaningful change. She brings honesty, insight and bold ambition to every space committed to growth, equity and long-term impact.
Di Minnicucci (she/her) is a London based art educator is the subject leader of photography at Thomas Tallis School. Dianne is passionate about schools being more inclusive within art education, advocating for more artists of colour with schemes of work. Di is a council member for NSEAD where she helped to set up their anti-racist checklist, and is part of their black art educators group. Di is also the founder of @amazingblackartists on Instagram, a page founded to highlight the work of artists of colour, initially for teachers, but now followed by non-teachers. Di is also the founder of Visible Diversity, a website designed for teachers to start the decolonising process with artists, articles and resource. Di has recently completed an artist residency generously supported by The Freelands foundation, Autograph Gallery, and The Photographers Gallery.
Niall Deegan, from Tuke School in Southwark, has joined the SLG Communities & Learning Team on a Teacher Fellowship, supported by the Art Fund. Over this academic year, Niall will be working with the SLG team to develop our learning offer for SEND students, and our wider visitor experience. Niall has been a teacher for 19 years, working across multiple disciplines in the arts. His teaching experience spans a range of learning settings, from mainstream education to his current role working with young people with severe learning disabilities.