Youth Steering Group

Hello, my name is Aisha and I am 18 years old, completing A levels in STEM subjects and located just North of Manchester. I believe every person is unique with differing strengths and weaknesses and the education system should be dynamic: allowing all socioeconomic, neurodivergent and SEN students to fulfil their highest potential. Deriving from a low socioeconomic area myself, I have witnessed first-hand the hurdles in pursuing to higher education and limited career opportunities.

Amelia is a new member of the 2025 Youth Steering Group.

I’m 19 years old and from Luton, currently studying Primary Education with QTS at the University of Hertfordshire. As a deaf student, I’ve experienced both the challenges and importance of inclusive education, which has inspired me to become a SEND teacher. I joined the Youth Steering Group to amplify the voices of young people, promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensure that education is a space where every child feels confident, capable, and heard. I am passionate about breaking barriers and helping to shape a more accessible and inclusive future for all.

I am David, an 18 year old from the North West of England, currently undertaking a degree apprenticeship programme in Technology Development. Throughout my academic journey, I have become increasingly aware of the disparities in educational quality across different regions and how these hurdles can restrict socioeconomic mobility. Having experienced the challenges of starting from a disadvantaged position myself, I am driven to make the path easier for young people to reach their potential, with the belief that no person should be limited by their background.

Hi! I’m Evie. I’m 17 years old, from London, and am a new member of the YSG. Currently, I am studying for my A Levels in Politics, History and Law, hoping to further study politics at university. My passion for educational inequality stems from my experience as an autistic person in mainstream school. Going from a place of little support and struggle to my online school where every teacher is SEND trained has had a hugely positive impact, not only on my studies, but on life as a whole! I aim to make schools a safe and inclusive place for all, no matter their socioeconomic background. 

Hi, my name’s Farzana and I am 21 years old. I am in my final year at university studying BA Education. I’m incredibly passionate about educational equity and improving social mobility. I am an advocate for better access to SEND assessments and SEND support in schools. I look forward to playing an active role in reducing inequality in education by being part of the FEA Youth Steering Group.

I’m Freya, a 19-year-old from London, and I look forward to starting my Law degree at Warwick University this autumn. As a profoundly deaf individual, I am keen to advocate for equitable access to education and to raise both awareness and expectations for children with special educational needs (SEN). As a member of the Youth Steering Group, I look forward to helping influence education policy so that every child, regardless of their background or disability, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Hey I’m Hayden , I’m 20 and from Nottingham. I’m currently taking a gap year and hope to return to studying adult nursing at university and then become a paramedic. My education timeline hasn’t been the easiest and I know this is the same story for other young people. I strongly believe the education system has a lot of areas that need change and believe that school should create an environment for a young person to feel safe , welcomed and wanted no matter what challenges they bring. I’m very exited to have the opportunity to work with the FEA to bring these changes.

Hi! My name is Imanni, I'm 16 years old, in Year 12, and I live in East London! One thing I am super passionate about is our classrooms and the students within them. Back in secondary school, I would look around and see countless students with their heads on the table, or drawing in their books, or doing anything else but listen to our teacher. Situations like these are what motivated me to want to join the YSG: I wanted to be part of something that could help reshape lessons to be focused more on the student, so everyone can learn to their fullest potential.

My name is Israa, I am 20 years old and a Digital Marketing Apprentice working in local government. My educational journey has been far from straightforward, and these experiences have motivated me to advocate for improvements within the education system so that all young people can access the opportunities they deserve. I believe that true strength lies in our differences, and that embracing diversity in all its forms is key to driving positive change and creating a more equitable society.

Hi, I’m Jayden, I am 20 years old from Liverpool currently studying BSc Archaeology in London. I received free school meals, and faced discrimination from peers and teachers for my ethnicity and social class in an underfunded school. My experience has been a key reason behind why I want to improve the education system alongside surrounding systems to improve policy and support for disadvantaged students. I believe museums have potential to make education more accessible by offering interactive and inclusive alternatives to traditional classroom education. They offer free or low-cost hands-on-learning via exhibitions and workshops which can reach people from disadvantaged backgrounds. These experiences can aid breaking down barriers to education by providing skills and knowledge.

Hi, I’m Jonathan- I am 15 years old and from Cheshire, and I’m currently studying for my GCSE’s. I was previously a member of the UK Parliament’s Youth Select Committee, the first youth-led inquiry into the cost-of-living crisis for the Government. I have also campaigned for education around discrimination, in particular antisemitism, because of my personal experiences. I wanted to join the FEA’s Youth Steering Group because education is key to helping young people in the cost-of-living crisis and to reducing discrimination.

Hi, I’m Keira! I’m 15 and currently in year 11. I’m from SW London and aspire to go into Law and politics. In the future I hope to also work closely with education as I’m very passionate about closing the disparity between low income households and the education system; specifically surrounding exclusions in schools.

Hello! I'm Leanna, a 15-year-old living in Oxford, originally from Hong Kong. I aspire to become a psychiatrist, providing mental health support to different parts of the world, particularly in underprivileged areas. I am passionate about using both my personal experiences of social disparity and my scientific background to promote the importance of awareness and accessibility of mental health in schools as well as the wider community. I hope to make a meaningful impact through this role! 

Hi, I’m Naomi. I’m a Marketing Management student on sabbatical as Education Officer at Brighton Students’ Union. This is my second year in the Youth Steering Group, where I advocate for equity and access in education. I also serve as a Trustee at Get Further and continue to push for change through youth boards . At the heart of my work is a belief that no young person’s postcode should determine their opportunities. Alongside this, I’m an experienced public speaker, having spoken at the Houses of Parliament and the House of Commons, and presented directly to King Charles III and Apple CEO Tim Cook. My focus is on making sure all young people, whatever their background, have the support and opportunities to succeed.

Hello, my name is Osob and I am a 17 year old student from Birmingham! I am currently a year 13 studying sociology, psychology and criminology as well as the EPQ and I joined the Youth steering group because I am passionate about making education accessible for all kids as well as making it an enjoyable, worthwhile experience for every student. I have always been passionate about politics and part of that is ensuring that kids of tomorrow are well equipped for the future ahead of them and I believe that education can do that. For me, it lays the foundations and makes the difference between a good student and a 'bad' one. I cannot wait to get involved and work with everyone!

I'm Ryan, I'm 20 and from Staffordshire, and currently studying Maths at the University of York. Throughout school I benefited from programmes to help disadvantaged young people, and currently benefit from an opportunity scholarship. Being a young- carer from a low-income background created barriers for me throughout school which I hope to break down for other people. I am currently exploring pursuing a career in finance, and tutor mathematics in my spare time.

Hello, I am S, a 19-year-old second-year member of the youth steering group. I am studying Education and Drama at Aberystwyth University. My lived experiences as a nonbinary, autistic, and adhd young person have driven my passion for change- ensuring education is inclusive for all. I believe no child should be scared to go to school, and all children should be given the chance to both learn and thrive.

Hi! I'm Saffron, I am 20 years old and from Luton. I am currently studying BA Education at the University of Cambridge. My experience in several kinds of alternative education institutions (such as pupil referral units) after leaving mainstream school in Year 8 has made me passionate about ensuring that education can adequately provide for SEND students, no matter what their needs are. I believe that a key part of this is strengthening connections between schools and local services that can diagnose, treat, and support students so that they can continue to access education both alternatively and in mainstream.

Hey I’m Sefatlin, a 15 year old girl from Afghanistan. I’m currently doing my GCSEs and have faced and understood how racial discrimination and educational disparities affect a child’s education. I’m passionate about bringing a change to education in the classroom.

Hello from Manchester! My name is Subhan and I am 17 years old, starting the beginning of the next chapter of my life (6th form). I'm studying A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Politics and Philosophy with hopes to study law in the future. I live by the mentality that the first step is the most important in achieving your goals. My ambition is to push for a better future for all of us, starting with the Youth Steering Group. Young people do not have the opportunities to succeed in many schools, and many have not been as fortunate as I have. My aim is that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their passions.

Hi, my name is Thomas and I am 15 years old. I am currently taking my GCSE’s yet I wish to study politics, philosophy and psychology at 6th form. I am very passionate about breaking barriers within education and the disparities within education and from this I hope and I aim to advocate and campaign for equality in education. From this passion I decided to explore the education system and factors in our intelligence as part of my HPQ qualification. I can't wait to get started with my role on the FEA YSG! 

Warren is a new member of the 2025 Youth Steering Group.

Yazz is a new member of the 2025 Youth Steering Group.