There are calls for more teachers from diverse backgrounds in schools across the south-east of England for the benefit of all pupils.
Department for Education figures show 19% of pupils in Sussex, Kent and Surrey are black, Asian or from other ethnic minorities.
But among teaching staff, only 5% are people belonging to ethnic minorities.
John Lynch, a former Brighton headteacher, said: ‘In the South East as a black or brown child you can go all the way through school from Reception to a PhD and never be taught by anyone who looks like you – and that’s significant.”