Equality & Diversity in Education

Equality and Diversity in Education are important because the Equality Act 2010 was introduced to bring protection to those with one or more ‘protected characteristics’. Education often contains diverse groups of people and so the needs of people with these ‘protected characteristics’ should be acknowledged, through an equality analysis, for example, and practices put in place to encourage inclusivity and accessibility for all students.

When you provide a fair education system, you support a school environment that helps all students develop core knowledge and skills. If all your students are given the same opportunities and an equitable start, all students can thrive and a level of respect can be formed between teaching staff and pupils.

Equality and Diversity are promoting and accepting the differences between people. Equality means treating people fairly and equally no matter their gender, race, religion, age or disability. Diversity is recognising and respecting these differences.

Equality and Diversity in education aims to create a classroom environment where all students can thrive together and ensures everyone accepts individuals characteristics rather than seeing them as 'different'.