Black Lives Matter: Racial Equality in our Schools, Settings and Wider Communities

The Education People is not aligned to any political party or political movement. We show respect for, and value, all communities. We will continue to endeavour to make our work inclusive and ensure that the support we give to our schools and settings is representative and relevant, promoting equality for all. We do not tolerate any racism or marginalisation of communities,

As we celebrate Black History Month, we have put together a list of resources in order to reaffirm our principles and to help our colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of the issues that have been prominent across all media this year.

Our Early Years and Childcare Service are also running a Practical Guide to Inclusion and Diversity in the Early Years webinar on Tuesday 30 March 2021. This session aims to challenge attitudes and explore practical strategies to make sure every setting provides a completely inclusive experience for all children, where they and their families can feel welcomed and supported.

We encourage staff, parents, carers and stakeholders to utilise the resources provided; to be aware of, and peacefully stand against, racism; to be race conscious; and treat all people, irrespective of skin colour, race or gender equally and fairly.

As educators it is our responsibility to listen, acknowledge and respond to the calls of justice and equality, to hear the voices of those that have been persecuted and discriminated against for far too long. People can no longer be bystanders, to do so is to be complicit in condoning racism.

To make a difference, we should ensure that:

• Every school curriculum reflects the diverse lives of all our children and young people.
• We develop respect and understanding between communities.
• Prejudicial and discriminatory behaviours are challenged through robust behaviour policies.
• All racial incidents are investigated and recorded.
• Data on racist incidents is shared with the local authority to ensure that trends are monitored across the county, enabling The Education People and KCC directorates to focus resources, inform policy and practice, and prioritise where support is needed.

To view our range of resources to help support Black History Month please visit our website.