Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Swann Report 40th Anniversary 2025-03-12

12 March 2025 · 5 other contributors

Opened by Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside

EducationWomen & Equalities

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Kim Johnson raised concerns about swann report 40th anniversary 2025-03-12 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Swann report, which highlighted discrimination against black Caribbean children in British schools.
  • The report identified systemic issues including the wrongful placement of children in ESN schools meant for those with severe disabilities.
  • The debate emphasized ongoing disparities in education and the need for anti-racist policies and curriculum reforms.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the groundbreaking Swann report “Education for All”. The report, commissioned to examine disparities in educational attainment and experiences among ethnic minority pupils, identified a mixture of education policy and racist attitudes responsible for shocking discrimination against black Caribbean children. It highlighted how teachers, educational psychologists, and local authorities wrongly placed these children in ESN schools, which were meant for pupils with severe physical and mental disabilities. The report made key recommendations including diversifying the curriculum, improving teacher recruitment, anti-racism training, and better support for language learners. However, many barriers remain today, such as disparities in attainment, school exclusions, police presence in schools, and a need for an anti-racist curriculum. Survivors of ESN schools have faced lifelong consequences, including lack of qualifications and struggle with self-worth. The debate highlights the ongoing need to address systemic discrimination in education.

Other contributors (5)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    I commend the hon. Lady for securing the debate and agree that substantial strides have been taken since the Swann report, but more work is needed to ensure each person can claim the best of British education incorporating their ethnic backgrounds.

  • Jeremy Corbyn Ind Islington North

    I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent speech and acknowledge the brave work of those who campaigned against unfair treatment of black children in the late 1960s, including Bernard Coard.

  • John McDonnell Ind Hayes and Harlington

    Unconscious bias plays a significant role in exclusions, hence the call for an inquiry.

  • James Asser Lab West Ham and Beckton

    Poverty and deprivation make it challenging for people to get their voice heard when there are problems. We need to ensure that people can speak out and be heard in a fair system.

  • Kim Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North

    I just wanted to ask my hon. Friend whether she could provide some rationale for why the Government have not decided to go down the route of a public inquiry.

Government Response

Not provided in the transcript

The minister’s response is not included in the given transcript. I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. The Government recognise the unacceptable treatment of young people from the Caribbean who were placed in ESN schools during the 1960s and 1970s. We are determined to root out structural inequality and direct discrimination, ensuring a level playing field for all children. Our opportunity mission aims to build opportunity for every child by setting up every child for the best start in life, helping them achieve and thrive at school, building skills, achieving growth, and securing family security. We will tackle disparities in educational outcomes across ethnic groups, focusing on economic disadvantage as a significant factor affecting pupil attainment. The Department acknowledges that some children have a greater likelihood of exclusion than others due to local context and we are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools through better mental health support, earlier intervention for at-risk pupils, enhancing the inspection regime by replacing the single headline grade with a new report card system and introducing an annual review of safeguarding, attendance, and pupil movement. However, the Government do not currently plan to establish a public inquiry on the policy framework surrounding the placement of children in schools as ESN in the 1960s and 1970s. -

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy