Glasgow does not have a single headteacher from  black and minority ethnic communities (BME), a meeting was told.

The city has about 170 schools and it is understood at least 20 per cent of pupils are from BME backgrounds.

Out of  about 13,000 education staff, 437 are from the BME community according to figures presented to a council meeting in 2021.

Yesterday a council meeting was told there are no BME heads in the city schools.

Expressing concern, Councillor Soryia Siddique said: “Representation matters.  Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) headteachers could provide students, particularly those from similar backgrounds, with visible role models who can inspire confidence and ambition.

“Representation at leadership levels helps students see that they too can aspire to leadership roles no matter their ethnicity or background.”

Councillor Siddique had submitted a question asking what was the total number of BME head teachers to the Operational Performance and Delivery Scrutiny Committee.

After learning there are zero, the Labour deputy leader then asked what are the barriers preventing people from different communities attaining the leadership roles and what resources are available.

The council has been carrying out work to help support people from diverse backgrounds get more senior education positions. Initiatives boosting equality include principal teachers taking part in a BME programme where they receive mentoring among other support.