Dysphoria, dissolution and diversity: An ethnographic exploration into the growing disillusionment of Black Caribbean students

The relationship between education systems and Black Caribbean students has been a focus in educational and social policy literature for many years.

Research has highlighted various issues faced by Black Caribbean students, including heightened discipline and labelling by staff, lack of curriculum diversity, and low expectations and racial stereotyping both within the classroom and wider social context.

Research has also shown evidence of overrepresentation in Special Educational Need (SEN) diagnoses, and an increase in attainment gaps as a direct result of policy change - for example, benchmark changes in definitions of achievement (Arday, Zoe Belluigi, and Thomas, 2021; Chapman and Bhopal, 2019; Demie, 2021; Gillborn et al., 2017; Joseph-Salisbury, 2020; Skiba et al. 2008).

Issues of inequality are still prominent, with persistent educational attainment gaps and high exclusion rates for Black Caribbean students compared to other ethnic groups, and UK Government policy still adopting colour blind approaches (UK Gov, 2023a; UK Gov, 2023b; UK Gov, 2021).