Equality, Diversity and Community Cohesion Framework for Kirklees Schools

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Introducing a new Equality, Diversity and Cohesion Policy and Strategy Framework for Schools

The underachievement of black and minority ethnic children and young people and their over representation in exclusions, disciplinary actions, and poor attendance are good examples of racial inequality. Since 2002 schools have been required by law to put into place race equality policies and implementation plans. In other words a strong statement of intent linked closely to a strategic action plan that together would assist schools in addressing such inequalities.

Schools are now required by law to build upon their race equality policies by including statements of intent and strategic plans that promote equality for disabled children and young people; girls and boys, and young men and young women. Promoting equality means reviewing policies and procedures, collecting data to ensure that all groups in school have equal access to the curriculum, and assessing the impact of the things that you do to identify unmet need and avoiding potentially discriminatory outcomes.

This guidance helps you build a new Equality, Diversity and Cohesion Policy and Strategy Framework. It has a sample policy – your statement of intent. The sample strategy makes strong links to Evaluating Equalities Version 2 for assessing the impact of policies and reviewing and monitoring subsequent changes to establish progress. For example, you may revisit the anti-bullying part of your behaviour policy and make it explicit that disabled children are protected from bullying because of their disability. You will want to review any changes you make to your policy and ask disabled children themselves to see if it is working. Where there are clear issues emerging for pupils and parents in this area you will also want to look at your curriculum planning mechanisms and policies and check if they include attitudes towards disabled people, disabled people's rights, etc. You’ll also need to report back on outcomes, and how they have been achieved, on a regular basis as well.

Many of your stakeholders will have varying and diverse needs and your use of Evaluating Equalities will help you identify these. But a generic approach that this new framework encourages allows you to identify commonalities of inequality - bullying experienced by black and disabled pupils, for example, needs challenging, recording and reporting in similar ways.

Moreover, this framework has been designed to make mainstreaming equality a reality. Your Equality, Diversity and Cohesion Policy will allow your school community to have a clear understanding of your school’s ‘statement of intent’ and ‘ethos’. Your Equality, Diversity and Cohesion Strategy will be the ‘hub’ of how you are going to promote equality and involve all groups across your school community with your School Improvement Plan demonstrating the actions and targets that will help you work towards your shared vision.

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