Ashid Ali came to the UK at the age of 8 from Sylhet (Bangladesh). He grew up in Oldham where he completed his education. He became a teacher in 1997 and is now the Head Teacher at London Enterprise Academy since 2014.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I live in Redbridge, and in effect in Tower Hamlets where I work as a Head teacher leading a school in one of the most deprived parts of the UK, but my home is Oldham. That’s where I grew up and have the fondest memories.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Being the Head teacher of a school is a privilege. It allows us to influence change and inspire the next generation.
I have debated at the Oxford Union and spoke at a UN World Conference in South Africa in 2001.
3) What inspires you?
There are lots of things that inspire me. When I see happy children growing up, going to University and starting careers in their chosen fields, it shows that the hard work and determination to help pupils to succeed pays off.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
There has been lots of challenges in my career. I always felt that I had to be better than others
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
I have worked with some inspirational Head teachers who always put children at the centre of what they do. For that reason I decided to set up a FREE school in one of the most deprived communities in the UK surrounded by the wealth of Canary Wharf and the City of London. I feel, in the past 8 years, we have been able to inspire our pupils to dream big and work for this.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
As a Head teacher, you get the opportunity to shape the future of individuals and communities. I feel we have been able to raise the bar in standards of academic expectation for inner city children. We have seen many of our pupils progressing to some of the best universities in the UK. I have also been able to train and develop teachers and leaders – many from the Black and Asian heritage which reflects the community that we serve.
7) And the worst?
As a Head teacher, the past two years has been very tough with Covid and we tried our best to support every pupil and their family as well as dealing with staff absence due to Covid illness and isolation. I feel there is always more we could do. Sadly there has been too much unnecessary pressures from the authorities.
8) What are your long term goals?
Being a Head teacher is the pinnacle of a teacher’s career. I have supported a number of Black and Asians into senior management including Headship and if I can continue to support people in their journey, I will get a lot of satisfaction.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Education! This is the key to social mobility. It worked for me and my friends and it can open up doors for everyone. I would encourage everyone to aim for university level education so that during difficult times, they are able to use transferable skills to adjust to conditions in society or the economy.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
I had the privilege of being in the same Conference Centre in Durban, South Africa with many World Leaders including Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat. I would love to spend time with both of these inspirational figures to learn about their struggles and strengths that kept them fighting for what they believed in.
