Showing young people that ‘it is possible’

The University of Huddersfield welcomes Sarah Ahmed as the Head of Division for Secondary Education and Lifelong Learning. Sarah will be based in the School of Education and Professional Development and brings with her a wealth of experience in the education sector. 

With almost 15 years of experience, her roles have ranged from Initial Teacher Training Coordinator, Head of Department and an Associate Assistant Headteacher.  

Community Cohesion

Since studying a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from Oxford University, Sarah has focused on community cohesion and has supported events held by local organisations such as Family Voice. Sarah has been successful in building relationships with BAME communities and supports the educational success of BAME students, including leading a range of workshops for educators and Trainee Teachers, striving for an anti-racist education for all. 

Sarah is passionate about equality and representation within education and has taken part in the ‘Diverse Leaders’ course as part of Yorkshire Leadership Community. She has also worked with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam with the aim of recruiting more BAME teachers and hopes to see more BAME representation in leadership roles. 

Civic University Network  

The Civic University Network is a national network of universities which aims to identify and enhance ways in which universities and their communities can build mutually beneficial relationships for the public good, in order to maximise the civic impact of universities in their place. 

It has been established as a national hub with greater than 70% of UK HEI participation. An engagement programme of webinars and workshops has been delivered along with a digital presence which together, have enabled sharing of best practice and dissemination of case studies and resources which have demonstrably enhanced the civic engagement of universities.

The University of Huddersfield is one of over 50 of Britain’s leading Universities to have committed to producing a Civic University Agreement, in partnership with local government and other major institutions in their area.

As the first BAME Head of Division in Teacher Education across all Universities in Yorkshire, Sarah recently spoke on the panel - ‘The role of universities in boosting educational attainment for all ages’ at the Civic University Conference on 18 May 2021. The session addressed the issues around areas of low educational attainment and the barriers preventing young people from achieving their potential.

Sarah Ahmed commented, "I feel honoured to have taken part as a panel member at the 2021 Civic University Network Conference. I hope to explore the barriers to educational attainment faced by young people, especially from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities. I am passionate about improving policy and raising the aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and believe there is a strong link between inequality and social mobility. Education is the engine to drive this forward.

“Throughout my educational experiences including that of working within a school, I never saw any positive role models with a similar appearance to myself. In my new role as the Head of Division for Secondary Education and Lifelong Learning, and as the first Head of Division from a BAME background in Yorkshire, I hope to bring Anti-Racist Education to the forefront of Initial Teacher Training and exemplify to young people that 'it is possible'."

All sessions from the Civic University Network Conference are available on the Civic University Network Members’ Area (which is free to join).