| Gilroy Brown |
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 Gilroy was born in the early 50s in Wolverhampton, the second of seven children. His father had come to work in a factory answering the call of the Mother country after the Second World War. He was one of four black pupils in the school of about 600. A playground incident where he was told he could not be the Little John character opposite Robin Hood because Little John was White and he was Black, led him into discussion with his father about what being Black meant. Although very interested in Art and a talented artist he eventually decided to become a teacher so that he could change the education system from within, which ignored the Black presence and contribution to society. He went to teacher training college near Brixton but returned to Birmingham to complete that training after one year. Once qualified he chose to teach in Handsworth and to teach in a primary school, which was unusual at that time. He was involved in helping to set up and run Summer schools and Supplementary Schools as well as supporting pioneering Arts projects and magazines. In 1989 he became Head teacher of Foundry Road Primary School in Winson Green and was the Head teacher for 10 years during which time he not only substantially raised educational standards, but also employed a minority ethnic staff at all levels within the school. He actively encouraged parental involvement in the school and many parents went on to further education and careers within education themselves. In the early 90s Gilroy, along with Guy Woolery founded the groundbreaking KWESI Mentoring Project. They engaged 50 black men from all walks of life, skilled, unskilled, church people, non church people, Rasta, non-Rasta the youngest being 24, the oldest being about 70, who could mentor and work with black pupils in schools. He sits on a number of boards of community organisations and is currently on the board of Ishango, a Science Club that helps African Caribbean children achieve their dreams to become doctors, scientists, teachers and engineers. He is also working with Disarm Trust who aim to tackle gun crime. After 10 years as a head teacher Gilroy joined the Birmingham Advisory Support Service and he is engaged in working across the country as requested by the Department for Education and Skills, local authorities and community organisations to share his expertise of raising the achievement of African Caribbean pupils. Having come from a church background, Gilroy’s faith plays a large role in his life.
S. Qureshi
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| I was at Winson Green when 'Mr Brown' took over as headmaster. He was simply wonderful and even now I think of him sometimes. I will never forget the very first lesson I had with him when he simply astonished the class by drawing an accurate map of the world on the blackboard freehand!!! People like Gilroy Brown are exemplary of what can be achieved with care and faith in the potential of a good education and respect for pupils' aspirations. I went on to study at Cambridge for ten years. Having just got my Ph. D. I've now started a job at the university. Foundry, especially under Gilroy Brown, was a major factor in my self-belief, self-respect and determination to do the best and be the best I could be and never let anyone tell me I was aiming too high. I hope people take note of what has been achieved and continue to do such good. |
Pauline Bloomfield
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| Hurray! This is wonderfully encouraging as a black single parent with children within the education system at present, we need to hear and see more of people like this, in particular black males working hard to improve the system and not just complaining, fighting against it and giving up and resorting to crime, violence and neglect of responsibility. Keep up this fantastic work. a concerned parent |
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