Research shows black boys do well at school in the early years

Last year only a quarter of boys of Caribbean descent got five A* to C grade GCSEs compared with a national average of 52%.

The conference on Saturday has been organised by a mentoring group.

A spokesman said the event would bring together education agencies, parents and pupils on a national level for the first time.

Henroy Green, of the National Black Boys Can Association, said in the past there had been regional conferences on black boys' under-achievement but a broader platform was needed to tackle the issue effectively.

There is now a groundswell desire for innovation, leadership, partnership and success in educating, parenting and supporting black boys Cheron Byfield, Black Boys Can Association

"What you really need is a national strategy where you share the best practice which is really what we are all about," Mr Green said.

The presence of many black pupils at the conference was a key factor, Mr Green added as it was an event where they could "inspire each other".

The conference comes in the wake of a controversial suggestion earlier this year by the head of the UK's race watchdog, Trevor Phillips, that black male students might need to be taught separately in order to improve their grades.

Behavioural challenges

Statistics show black girls do significantly better than their male counterparts at school, obtaining better exam results than many of their white peers in some cases.

Around 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the conference with speakers including the Black Boys Can patron Sir Bill Morris, the mayor of London's race advisor Lee Jasper and education specialist Dr Tony Sewell.

The conference will include presentations, workshops and discussions on such matters as behavioural challenges, youth culture and parenting.

The chairwoman of Black Boys Can, Cheron Byfield, said the conference showed there was the will to change the situation.

"For the first time, many of the leading black people across the UK have come together in this fashion.

"There is now a groundswell desire for innovation, leadership, partnership and success in educating, parenting and supporting black boys," Ms Byfield said.