When Bushra Nasir first began teaching in East London in the 1970s she never thought she’d be one of UK’s most inspirational heads and a role model for so many girls and women from all faith backgrounds. Her first headship, at Plashet School, a secondary school in East Ham soon turned into a very public role: as one of the first Muslim female headteachers, all eyes were on Bushra to achieve. Plashet was later ranked outstanding by Ofsted and it remains over-subscribed with many young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds going on to careers in the City and beyond from the school.
An advocate for multi-culturalism, Bushra says an education in religion and worldviews is the best way to ensure students leave school with an understanding of common values as well as the practical life skills to raise issues with respect. From teacher training to inspiring young people with deep, thought-provoking GCSE and A-Level content, religion and worldviews must be robustly taught and treated as a high-value part of the curriculum.
Bushra is CEO of the Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust, has a Doctorate from the University of East London and a Fellowship from Queen Mary College, London. She has a CBE for services to education and is appointed as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant by the Queen. https://www.rethinkre.org/champions#1645706754245-25cf331c-e506