Equality saves money

This was particularly true when the authors of the Reach report - including me - along with Hazel Blears, launched our findings last month in Manchester. Our "sprat to catch a mackerel" headline was the call for more black role models wider than the usual sporting and musical icons. The aim of the headline was to raise the reports profile so that its full content could be read, understood and hopefully implemented, by national and local government. With unprecedented national and local media coverage the headline worked beyond our expectations in grabbing media attention, but getting journalists and commentators to see beyond their own view of the headline proved to be a little more challenging. Many wrongly believed we were rejecting a black celebrity class for just a highly professional class. It was therefore, extremely refreshing when I met with the civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who greeted me with the proclamation: "Mr Woolley, I've read the Reach report and it is truly awesome. Anybody, that cares about finding real solutions to some of the challenges facing black boys, black families and wider society should read and absorb this report."

What impressed him was the report's factual base that highlighted the structural inequalities, particularly within the criminal justice system, that black boys and young black men face in the UK today. He was equally impressed with the reports cost analysis - undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers - that suggests we lose £808m a year as a result of their marginalisation. "It makes good business sense," Rev Jackson argued, "as well as moral sense to give these young men a fair opportunity in life."

He applauded the Reach team for finding solutions to a series of challenges in a way that all the relevant parties - government, schools, community groups, parents and black boys - are brought together to effectively turn black boys' underachievement around.

Many of the recommendations the group finally came up with were based on proven activities and our own knowledge base.

Our call, for example, for a wider band of role models, was based on research that showed black boys favoured everyday citizens over celebrities. Someone they could look up to and respect; someone who would impact their lives in a positive way.

Another recommendation that received no media attention seeks to encourage and create stronger ties between schools, families and local groups. We know that if parents know their children's teachers, including the head teacher's, if a problem arises, or the child gets into trouble, those teachers are more likely to call the parent and not the police.

We found that even in those poor socio-economic areas when teachers are supported by parents, and the wider community, when parents are confident that the teachers believe in their children, everybody wins.

A great example of these dynamics working together can be seen when we look at one of the authors of Reach, headteacher Ann Palmer, and her Eastlea community school, in the east London borough of Newham. In charge of one of the most culturally and religiously diverse schools in the country, Ann Palmer is a black role model herself. Her philosophy is truly inclusive: valuing teachers, governors, encouraging excellent parent involvement and of course aiming high for all her students. It was no surprise that Ofsted awarded her school an almost unprecedented number of Grade I marks in achievement and standards, personal development, quality of provision, leadership and management and overall effectiveness, concluding that the school has gone from "a very good school to an outstanding one".

If the government takes the report's recommendations seriously they can help pave the way to emulate the positive measures we see at Eastlea community school, and explore new ones that include strengthening and supporting families, and encouraging the type of community/civic activism that has a profound impact. As a result we save potentially billions of pounds and begin to fulfil the great potential of so many black boys.

Eastlea Community School story: Black led school success After reading the article you may want to let Head Teacher Ann Palmer know what you think of her efforts. Ann.Palmer@Eastlea.Newham.Sch.UK Or leave your comments at info@obv.org.uk