How to Promote Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the Classroom

1. How to Promote
Equality, Diversity &
Inclusion in the
Classroom

2. What is Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion?
Equality – means that
everyone is treated the
same, is treated fairly and
has the same

3. What is Diversity
Diversity – means recognizing, respecting
and welcoming everyone’s different
backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Promoting diversity celebrates people’s
differences and uniqueness.

4. What is Inclusion
Inclusion – means that everyone
is encouraged to retain their
uniqueness, they aren’t singled
out for being different, and have
a sense of belonging and being
valued.

5. Diversity is being
invited to the party.
Inclusion is being
asked to dance.

6. Inclusion importantly goes a step further than
diversity. Promoting diversity is sometimes
criticized as a tick-box exercise, often driven by
data. For example, a school could claim to be
‘diverse’ based on numbers of pupils and staff
who meet a certain criteria. However, if a
school is truly inclusive, then they ensure that
every member of that diverse community is
nurtured, celebrated, and feels secure and
included within the school community.

7. Why is Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion Important?
. Promoting equality, diversity and
inclusion in education is essential for both
staff and students. Not only is it a legal
requirement, but every member of the
school’s community is entitled to a
learning and working environment where
they can thrive together and celebrate
their uniqueness.

8. Everyone has the right to be treated
fairly, and not to be discriminated
against or harassed as they go about
their everyday lives.
Discrimination means treating someone
differently and unfairly because of a
particular characteristic they may have,
or are believed to have.
Equality
Act 2010

9. Harassment is when someone is
verbally abused, threatened,
has rumours spread about
them or is picked on because
of a particular characteristic
they may have, or are believed
to have.

10. Equality Act 2010
. The law that protects people from
discrimination and unfair treatment is called the
Equality Act 2010. This act defines nine
'protected characteristics' on the grounds of
which it is illegal to discriminate against people
or treat them differently. This law applies when
you are at work, or when someone is providing
goods or services to you - for example in
hospital, in a shop, when using public transport,
or when receiving care and support.

11. The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010 are:
* age
* disability
• gender identity -It is a fundamental aspect of a person's identity and
may be different from their biological or physical characteristics.
• gender reassignment
* marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
* pregnancy and maternity
* race
* religion or belief
* sex
* sexual orientation- refers to an individual's enduring pattern of romantic
or sexual attraction to individuals of the same gender, different
gender, or more than one gender.

12. The Act makes it unlawful for a school to discriminate
against, harass or victimize a pupil or potential pupil. This
includes:
* In relation to admissions.
* In the way that it provides education for pupils.
* In the way that it provides pupils access to any
benefit, facility or service.
* By excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other
detriment.

13. The Equality Act also protects
those discriminated against
through association or perception
– for example, a pupil
discriminated against due to a
parent’s religious belief or due
being perceived as LGBTQ+.

14. Positive Action
• Schools should carefully consider how they
are supporting their pupils and students with
regard to particular protected characteristics.
• Provisions within the Act allow schools and
colleges to take proportionate, positive
action, to deal with particular disadvantages
affecting students with a particular protected
characteristic.

15. --This includes a duty to make
reasonable adjustments for disabled
children and young people (including
those with long-term conditions).
Positive action could also include
providing support for a group of
students who share a protected
characteristic.

16. How can equality
be promoted in
school?
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17. Promoting Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion at a Whole-School Level
An ethos of, and true commitment to,
equality, diversity and inclusion should be
embedded in the school culture, and a
core part of creating a positive learning
environment.

18. This should include:
Setting clear expectations – a school’s
policies and procedures (including
behaviour policies, anti-bullying policies,
staff code of conduct, etc.) should clearly
state the expectation that everyone is to
be treated fairly and equitably.

19. Challenging negative attitudes – the
school should have a clear policy with
regards to discriminatory behaviour and
language. This should never be
dismissed as banter.
Promoting
equality

20. Support strategies – there should be
strategies in place to encourage anyone
to come forward if they are experiencing
or witnessing anything that violates the
school’s commitment to equality,
diversity and inclusion.
Promoting
equality

21. Creating an inclusive culture – including
whole school representations of diversity
can be a powerful tool to promote
inclusion. This can be done in a
multitude of ways – from the images and
posters used around school, to the
religious and cultural events that are
recognised, to the uniform policy..
Promoting
equality

22. Providing effective training – all staff should be
trained in equality and diversity. This could
include explicit Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
training, but also training that illustrates how
important inclusion is for all aspect of
education, including provision for Special
Educational Needs and/Disability, safeguarding
topics such as Harmful Sexual Behaviour and
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism, and
Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Promoting
equality

23. Reflecting inclusion in the curriculum –
exploration of topics such as celebrating
difference, recognising and avoiding
stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination form
key parts of many statutory programmes of
study at all key stages – most notably
relationships education, sex and relationships
education, and health education.
Promoting
equality

24. As well as explicitly teaching these topics,
schools can go further by ensuring
representation of diversity across the wider
curriculum. It is incredibly important that
children and young people see themselves and
their experiences reflected positively in the texts
and resources they encounter. .
Promoting
equality

25. Make sure English texts include a diverse
range of characters – including those from
different cultures and ethnic groups, different
family groupings, characters with disabilities,
LGBTQ+ characters, etc.
In history, music, art and PE include a focus on
key figures who represent diversity.

26. Seeking out feedback – it is not enough to
implement inclusive strategies, you need to
actually make sure that pupils and staff feel
included. Use pupil voice or staff surveys,
school councils, peer support groups, etc., to
regularly check in to see if staff and students
feel that the setting is meeting their needs in
terms of inclusivity. Use those opportunities to
welcome suggestions as to what more could be
done.
Promoting
equality

27. Promoting
Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion at a
Classroom Level
o

28. Think about representation in the resources
Make sure the resources you use reflect
diversity. Try to evaluate the resources that you
have through an inclusion lens and then aim to
further improve inclusivity. This could include
anything from:
Promoting
equality in
classroom

29. Stories shared with learners – are they representative of a
range of identities, circumstances and cultures?
Dolls/small world toys – do they reinforce gender
stereotypes? Are a range of skin colours represented?
Colouring equipment – do you provide a range of skin tones
for children to use?
Maths/science problems – for example, if you are writing
maths problems, make sure you reflect diversity in the
pronouns, names and scenarios which feature.
Promoting
equality in
classroom

30. Adapt your practice
Teachers shoul differentiate and personalize teaching and
learning to meet the needs of children and young people
with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Good
teaching practice should include using a variety of teaching
and assessment methods, as well as accessible resources
to ensure all pupils can access the learning opportunities
Promoting
equality in
classroom

31. Adapt your practice
Teachers shoul differentiate and personalize teaching and
learning to meet the needs of children and young people
with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Good
teaching practice should include using a variety of teaching
and assessment methods, as well as accessible resources
to ensure all pupils can access the learning opportunities
Promoting
equality in
classroom

32. Celebrate the diversity of your
students
Get to know your pupils and try to reflect
their uniqueness. This could be as simple
as having ‘hello’ written on the door in all
the languages spoken in the class – or
asking children to create class displays
illustrating something unique about them.
Promoting
equality in
classroom

33. Be mindful of your language
It is important that teachers model
inclusive language. Whilst staff would
always avoid language they know to be
offensive or unacceptable, sometimes we
might not recognise the implications of
certain phrases or terminology..
Promoting
equality in
classroom

34. Be mindful of your language
It is important that teachers model
inclusive language. Whilst staff would
always avoid language they know to be
offensive or unacceptable, sometimes we
might not recognise the implications of
certain phrases or terminology..
Promoting
equality in
classroom

35. Be mindful of your language
It is important that teachers model
inclusive language. Whilst staff would
always avoid language they know to be
offensive or unacceptable, sometimes we
might not recognise the implications of
certain phrases or terminology..
Promoting
equality in
classroom

36. Sit down guys’ opt for ‘Sit down
everyone’.
‘Good morning boys and girls’ opt for
‘Good morning class’.
‘Tell your mum and dad’ opt for ‘Tell
whoever is at home’...
Promoting
equality in
classroom

37. Promoting equality, diversity
and inclusion in the classroom
helps to ensure that each
student is able to learn in an
environment where all aspects
of their identities are
recognised and respected, and
where they feel safe and
secure.
o