The Greenwich Learning Partnership (GLP)’s project with Hemisphere Education about race equity in schools, has snapped up the 2026 BETT Award for ‘Collaboration with a school, college or university’ and silver at the Learning Awards for the ‘External solution of the year’.
The prestigious awards celebrate creative and innovative initiatives in education that are driving real results in schools and improving outcomes. The two different categories recognise the training offered by the GLP and Hemisphere Education, supporting all staff in Greenwich schools to explore and develop their understanding of racial literacy.
The GLP is a partnership between the council and all Greenwich schools. It provides a platform to promote collaboration, support school development and commission innovative research projects. This partnership is a key pillar of the council’s Schools Strategy and of its’ mission to drive the best outcomes for every child and young person in Greenwich.
Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“The awards are a testament to the important work the GLP, working with Hemisphere Education, is doing to advance racial equity in schools and the hugely positive impact it’s already having on children across the system.
“Huge thanks to our school leaders across Greenwich, who have demonstrated their passion and commitment over the past 18 months: to take racial inclusion seriously, to embed this work into everyday practice, and to make time and space for staff to engage properly withi t. It’s a trailblazing example of collaboration which is already inspiring other boroughs’ approaches.”
A BETT Awards judge said: “The partnership between Hemisphere Education and the Greenwich Learning Partnership has set a new standard for how local authorities advance racial inclusion. The Judges were impressed that their genuine collaboration — evidenced through joint design, evaluation, and action — had driven measurable change. Pupils felt a stronger sense of belonging, families report greater trust, and schools are redesigning policies to create more inclusive communities.”
In the first 18 months, the GLP’s work has seen:
• 90% school participation across the borough
• 4,410 staff trained with a 90% completion rate
• 92% of staff reporting a better understanding of Black pupils’ experiences
• 87% committing to change their practice
Many schools have also reported seeing changes such as pupils feeling a stronger sense of belonging, families being more confident to speak up, and leadership teams using the learning to review policies, curriculum and parental engagement.
One parent at a Greenwich nursery said “I feel empowered because I can speak to anyone in the team — the teacher, the support staff, even the head — and know that I’ll be heard. There’s a sense of trust and shared responsibility.”
Promoting a sense of belonging
A video recently commissioned by the Greenwich Learning Partnership’s Educate Against Racism subgroup, a network made up of heads of schools and the Council’s Children’s Services Tackling Structural Racism Group, provides a window into how Greenwich schools make all children and young people in their care feel included.
The film was edited and produced by students at Shooters Hill Sixth Form College.
Watch it here