Adrian Clarke has qualifications from Oxford University's Plater College, Durham University, Sussex University and London Metropolitan University alongside his 16 year teaching career.
His lifelong commitment to social justice and a fairer society has informed his work as a community activist, educationalist and spokesperson on race, education, social mobility and widening participation.
His experience is international and encompasses both private and public sectors.
Early life:
Adrian was born in London and spent his formative education at St John the Baptist Anglican School, St James Barbados. Later he attended St Alfege with St Peters Church of England Primary School, Greenwich and then South East London School, Deptford, an inner London comprehensive secondary school where he was appointed Head Boy.
Education:
Returning to education as a mature student he attended Oxford University’s Plater College, a Roman Catholic College focused on issues of social justice. Here he obtained an Oxford University Special Diploma in Social Studies and Statistics as well as a firm understanding of Roman Catholic social teaching and moral philosophy. During his time at Oxford his keen interest in politics led him to work for the Labour Party Black Sections campaign as a research assistant. The organisation was instrumental in helping elect the first four Black and Asian MPs: Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott.
Leaving Oxford, he undertook a BA (Hons) Degree in Politics at St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham University, specialising in American History, Anthropology and Social Policy. After attending Durham University, Adrian undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Law at Sussex University. His plan then was to become a lawyer.
An opportunity to travel around the world brought about another change of direction, which resulted in him returning to full time education.
He later attended London Metropolitan University, where he completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education in Citizenship focusing on the teaching of History and Citizenship in Secondary schools. He obtained a distinction in his teaching practice from his second placement at Ernest Bevin College.
Teaching Career:
Adrian has been a teacher for sixteen years. He first taught Law, Citizenship and English at Mayfield Secondary School, Dagenham Essex. He then went on to teach History, Citizenship and Business Studies at Ernest Bevin College in Tooting, Wandsworth. He was also the College Council Coordinator, the body responsible for promoting and encouraging pupils to speak out on social issues.
He is currently leading Careers Education at Ernest Bevin College, rated by the latest OFSTED Report as providing “high quality” careers education. His role requires him to prepare all students for the world of work and adult life with timely information, advice, and guidance, whilst developing and enhancing their life skills.
He has successfully completed "The Diverse Leaders Programme" an accredited DFE programme. Selected by his school, this programme aims to develop and enhance the leadership skills of BAME teaching staff. Adrian is currently leading strategy on race and education at his school. He is helping to reshape the curriculum and increase staff awareness of the importance of race and identity. He has devised a programme which is addressing the needs of staff by suggesting training on unconscious bias and anti-racism in the light of the Black Lives Matter campaign.
He is currently enrolled on the King’s College, University of London Advocacy programme for Wider Participation. Again, the aim of this course is to enhance social mobility for marginalised and disenfranchised groups within his school.
Community activist and career in the public sector:
Upon leaving school, Adrian worked as a Community Worker in Hackney for the leading Afro-Caribbean child care agency, Caribbean House. His role was multi-faceted, working with families under considerable pressure, helping them to liaise with social services, the courts, police and delivering meals on wheels to these vulnerable families. He trained as a family counsellor and West Indian cultural ambassador. His role involved working with Hendon Police Cadets and young police officers in Hackney. His involvement within the local community extended to a role within the local church, where the celebrated London Community Gospel Choir was formed. He undertook theological studies there, culminating in obtaining a qualification to minister within the local church.
He subsequently wrote a number of poems at this time published in “The Voice” Newspaper, the only British national Afro-Caribbean weekly newspaper. His poems were featured as Poems of the Week which led to him entering a national poetry competition, organised by the then Greater London Council. Through this competition he met the American author and Civil Rights activist James Baldwin, which had a profound impact on him. He also had an earlier meeting with CLR James, sometimes referred to as The Black Plato. He is the celebrated Black Trinidadian author of many books including “The Black Jacobins”. Meeting these two writers and proponents of societal equity has deeply influenced and informed his understanding of the Afro-Caribbean experience and, issues of social justice, both themes which he later developed at his time at Oxford University.
Legal experience in the private sector:
After attending Durham University, Adrian undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Law at Sussex University. His ambition then was to become a lawyer which involved equipping himself with knowledge of The Bar and membership of The Law Society. He initially gained legal experience at Tooks Court, then the chambers of Michael Mansfield QC, recently described as “The King of Human Rights Work”. He was a mini pupil there supporting the then Barrister Adrian Bruce Fulford, now Sir Adrian Fulford PC, The Right Hon Lord Justice Fulford who was also elected to serve as one of the 18 judges on the international Criminal court in 2003. Other legal experience included working as an Outdoor Clerk, performing normal legal duties issuing judgements at The Royal Courts of Justice whilst also obtaining a well sought after graduate training place at Linklaters LLP, one of the “The Magic Circle” legal firms. He undertook a Graduate Trainee Placement in corporate law, residing in the pensions and litigation division.
Career in advertising and publishing private sector:
After graduating from Sussex University having passed his legal conversion course. He undertook the next steps in his attempt to become a solicitor, which was to apply for The Legal Practice Course and articles. This would have resulted in him completing the vocational aspect of the solicitor’s training programme.
Adrian secured a place on The Legal Practice Course but was unable to take up his place because of a lack of funds. During this period of time after having completing his legal conversion course, he applied for articles i.e. trainee solicitors programme, which in theory would have (1) financially paid for The Legal Practice Course (11) secured employment and help him qualify as a solicitor. Despite numerous applications to a broad range of law firms he was not offered articles. He eventually had to abandon the possibility of becoming a lawyer.
Living independently required Adrian to instead focus on paying his bills, living expenses, rent etc, whilst also repaying some his law school loan, which was initially taken out to fund his postgraduate legal conversion course. This reality resulted in him applying for financial assistance from a range of charitable organisations, these included The University of Sussex hardship fund and the community organisation BOYFA.
The net result of all of these challenges further informed his thinking on the importance of equal opportunities, widening participation and the genral lack of representation of disenfranchised groups within the legal profession.
Instead of becoming a lawyer he pursued a career in publishing/advertising spending ten years in the advertising industry, working mostly in sales, marketing sponsorship and promotions in a variety of sectors and organisations. He has worked for Choice FM Radio, BBC World Service, Pride Magazine, VNU Business publications and The Hemming Group.
Public Speaking and published articles:
An ongoing interest in current affairs both in the UK and Barbados resulted in Adrian organising a number of debates on topical issues in the Caribbean and the UK, under the auspices of BOYFA (Barbados Overseas a Youth and Friends Association). A number of high profile speakers attended including government ministers, academics and policy makers from Barbados. The lectures were in honour of Errol Barrow PC, QC a Caribbean statesman and first Prime Minister of Barbados. Adrian received a national award from Barbados, for services to education.
Adrian has recently been keynote speaker at a number of events including delivering a sermon at St Alfege Anglican Church Greenwich delivered to a packed congregation entitled “The opportunities and obstacles to individual pupils to a fully rounded and life enriching education”.
He has continued his interest in current affairs by commenting on various LBC Radio programmes including a well-reviewed conversation with Sheila Fogarty in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd as well as posting articles on emotional intelligence on his LinkedIn profile.
Most recently he co-created a series of debates on Education and Race at Jesus College, Oxford University alongside Samira Ahmed BBC broadcaster and other leading Oxford University academics Patricia Daley, Vice Principal Jesus College and Professor in Geography, Paulina Kewes, Professor in English Literature at Oxford University, and Clare Williams, alumna of Oxford University and Dr Matt William Access Fellow at Jesus College. This is available on
YouTube see link https://youtu.be/Vi1IrwSB70k
After Oxford university debate he subsequently wrote an article “How educators can stamp out racism and create equality in society”
A speech at The Labour Party National Education Union Branch Meeting on topic of Race and Education in Secondary schools in Wandsworth “
Adrian Clarke Consulting works with clients in the public and private sectors. Our purpose is to promote diversity and inclusion, we do this with a core focus on emotional intelligence and social justice.