In 2016, Dr AFM Saiful Islam founded Knowledgehut (https://knowledgehut.org.uk/), a weekend school dedicated to supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children in Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Barking—areas with some of the highest levels of educational disadvantage in London.

Over the past nine years, the programme has grown into a trusted community resource, combining academic support with parent seminars, training parents on how to help their children with school homework, and guidance on using IT safely at home.

Together, we have reached more than 1000 students to date, of whom 90% are from BAME backgrounds, and successfully enabled 10% to progress into higher education—an achievement that directly addresses representation gaps. Beyond student impact, we have trained 55 BAME graduate teachers (2016–2025), equipping them with the skills and confidence to serve as role models in their communities.

Our service as school governors has further strengthened advocacy for attendance, aspiration, and economic contribution, ensuring that the benefits of education extend beyond the classroom. Collectively, these efforts have created a sustainable pipeline of diverse talent into higher education, while also empowering families and communities to value education as a driver of social mobility and equity. We hope to continue this mission, expanding our reach and deepening our impact so that future generations of students and families can benefit from greater opportunity, representation, and inclusion.