PUPILS in English state schools have a “high probability” of never being taught by a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) teacher, according to a new report on racial equality in education.

The study by the National Foundation for Educational Research reveals that six in 10 English state schools have an all-white teaching staff, while in primary schools nearly 70 per cent have only white teachers.

The report shows that people from BAME backgrounds are over-represented among teacher training applicants, suggesting that “there is no shortage of interest in joining the profession among these groups” but that this is not mirrored in the make-up of trainees on teaching courses.