The Diversity Gap in Greater Manchester’s School Leadership

Despite growing multicultural pupil populations across Greater Manchester, the boards governing these schools remain overwhelmingly white and older.

National data reveals that just 5–6% of state school governors in England are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, compared to 30% of pupils 

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/29/only-5-of-state-school-governors-in-england-from-ethnic-minorities-report.

A recent survey shows 95% of governors identify as white, with 41% retired and only 9% under 40

https://www.brownejacobson.com/insights/addressing-the-diversity-deficit-in-school-governance-a-call-to-action/school-governance-driving-change-through-diverse-leadership.

Regionally, a GovernorHub study estimated only 8% of governors in Greater Manchester were from ethnically diverse backgrounds backgrounds 

https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news

Demographics vs Governance: Borough-by-Borough

Greater Manchester overall: 23% ethnically diverse 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Greater_Manchester

Here’s how ethnic diversity in local populations compares to the under‑representation on governance boards:

Rochdale

• Ethnic diversity: 43% ethnically diverse
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale
• Despite this, school governors likely remain ~95% white.

Wigan

• Ethnically Diverse population: just 5% in 2021 
• Governance boards reflect this low diversity but even here national proportions (5–6% ethnically diverse governors) likely exceed the local baseline. https://governorsforschools.org.uk/app/uploads/2021/09/UoM-Report-slide-deck.pdf

Stockport

• Population ~11% ethnically diverse 
• Governance still predominately white with national-level under-representation.

Oldham

• 31.8% ethnically diverse (2021)
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Borough_of_Oldham
• Expected strong mismatch: pupil body much more diverse than governing boards.
  https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/media/6202/greater-manchester-strategy-ethnicity-evidence-baseline-june-2022.pdf

Bury

• 17.1% ethnically diverse
  How life has changed in Bury: Census 2021 https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000002/
• Yet on boards, likely under 10% ethnically diverse governors.
  https://governorsforschools.org.uk/inclusive-governance-blogs/board-diversity-in-schools-how-do-we-measure-up

Bolton

• 28% ethnically diverse (2021), with 20% Asian and 3.8% Black
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton

Governance boards remain disproportionately white.
https://governorsforschools.org.uk/inclusive-governance-blogs/board-diversity-in-schools-how-do-we-measure-up

Cheadle, Chorlton, Didsbury & Ardwick

• Specific Census stats aren’t provided, but these neighbourhoods particularly suburban Cheadle, leafy Chorlton, and inner‑city Ardwick/Didsbury reflect varied ethnic mixes:
  • Ardwick (inner Manchester) is significantly diverse.
  • Cheadle & Chorlton have growing South Asian and Eastern European communities
    https://gmetrust.org/governance

Why This Matters

• Representation: Diverse voices on governing boards bring perspectives aligned with student populations.
• Equity: Ethnically under-represented pupils need leaders who understand their cultural experiences.
• Legitimacy: Trust in school governance grows when boards mirror their communities.

What Needs to Change

1. Targets & transparency: Governors’ bodies should publish diversity data and set improvement goals.
2. Inclusive recruitment: Expand outreach, particularly in diverse neighbourhoods such as Ardwick.
3. Support & training: Provide culturally responsive training and remove barriers to entry for younger and ethnically diverse candidates.
4. Local action: Councils in Rochdale, Oldham, Bolton, Bury, and Wigan can work with programmes like GovernorHub and Governors for Schools to boost participation.

In Summary

Greater Manchester’s schools serve tremendously diverse communities spanning 5 % in Wigan up to 43 % in Rochdale town but governance does not reflect this.

With just 5–8 % of governors from ethnic backgrounds, there’s a clear governance gap.

Intentional recruitment, transparency, and support systems are urgently needed to align boardroom diversity with pupil diversity.

Further Reading & Sources

• National Governance Association: 95% governors white; only 5–6% from ethnic backgrounds
  https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/29/only-5-of-state-school-governors-in-england-from-ethnic-minorities-report
• Greater Manchester borough ethnic data: Bolton , Rochdale/Wigan , Oldham 
• Local governance studies: GovernorHub (8% ethnically diverse governors in GM)