Last week included the annual Equality and Diversity (E&D) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) session. Initially I was very happy to see 80+ staff in attendance.
Some of the key words given by staff during the CPD session included tokenism, opportunities and representation. Which got me thinking, what opportunities we can create to support our staff and students embedding E&D.
But… how do we get it right? How do we embed something so important into our mind sets and culture? Research shows that where educational institutions are getting equality right, there is respect for individual differences and pupils develop empathy. They understand the effects of prejudice and discrimination and take responsibility for trying to prevent bullying.
The way in which we plan and deliver our curriculum can help to bring about positive attitudes. Giving students and staff a wide range of opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion. These opportunities can be right in front of our eyes. It is just a case of broadening our minds to look out for them.
To leave you with a thinking point… do the lessons you are teaching this week consider the contributions to your industry from people of different race and ethnicity, people from different religions, women, disabled people and people from the LGBT community? If not, could these amazing contributions be added, where they naturally fit, without being forced into your lessons?
- Paul Morgan.
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