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Equality and diversity policy and practice

Embedding identity, diversity and equality into policy, practice and the curriculum

Embedding identity, diversity and equality into the policies, practices and curriculum in our schools involves creating an environment where teaching and learning experiences are inclusive and strive proactively to:

  • promote equality of opportunity
  • eliminate discrimination
  • foster good relations between people.

Whilst ensuring that the school’s values and ethos preserves, reflects, responds to and above all respects the identity and diversity of all pupils and the wider school community.

All pupils have the right to work in engaging environments where they feel they belong. A place where they want to be. One in which they never feel isolated and excluded, where they can be engaged and work alongside and in partnership with others.

Teachers should ensure that no pupils are disadvantaged by teaching practices and the curriculum is inclusive of all their pupils, enabling them to reach their full potential.

How can the Equality Diversity Inclusion Team help?

The Equality Diversity Inclusion Team (EDIT) provides consultancy, training, and workshops to support schools in creating inclusive environments.

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.

We have developed 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.

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.

What can we do as educators?

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 Kent County Council directorates to focus resources, inform policy and practice, and prioritise where support is needed.

Support from The Education People

  • Equality and Diversity Training – face-to-face/virtual offer.
  • Persona Dolls training.
  • Equality and Diversity Strategic Inclusion Visit.
  • Question within visits and include a section within the Note of Visit concerning support for Black children.

For more information please contact: [email protected]

  • Equality and diversity training
  • Identity and diversity workshops
  • Racist incident training
  • Environmental walks to assess and monitor the diversity and inclusivity within a school
  • Policy and/or curriculum scrutiny
  • EAL support.

Promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion and combatting bullying

  • An estimated 3.3% of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) in 2022, a continued increase from 2.1% in 2017.
  • The proportion of men identifying as LGB was 3.8% in 2022, up from 2.4% in 2017; the proportion of women identified as LGB was 3.0%, an increase from 1.8% in 2017.
  • The proportion of women aged 16 to 24 years identifying as LGB increased to 10.6% in 2022; the proportion of men aged 16 to 24 years identifying as LGB was 7.9%.

Office for National Statistics - Sexual Orientation, UK: 2021 and 2022

Homophobic, biphobic bullying is widespread in Britain's primary and secondary schools, affecting many children and young people each year. Research highlights the detrimental impact this has on attendance, attainment and mental health and wellbeing.

The Stonewall School Report 2017 indicates that:

  • 45% of LGBT pupils have been bullied at school, of these
  • 40% have skipped school because of this bullying
  • 40% per cent have never been told about LGBT issues at school
  • 68% report that teachers or school staff only ‘sometimes’ or ‘never’ challenge homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language when they hear it
  • 53% say that there are no adults in school they can talk to about being LGBT.

How can the Equality Diversity Inclusion Team help?

The Equality Diversity Inclusion Team (EDIT) provide training, advice, support and guidance to help schools to overcome and eliminate homophobic and biphobic bullying and promote the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning pupils, staff and family members.

For more details and information on how EDIT can help, please click one of the boxes below.

Useful resources

Contact us

You can get in touch with us using our designated contact page - contact EDIT here!