This month we will focus on embedding equality in the provision of teaching and learning. Taking a minute or two to reflect on these daily updates will help us to embed equality in everything we do. On your April pages:
- Key definitions
- Embedding and The Equality Act 2010
- What we do and do not mean by embedding
- Sharing good practice internally
- An Ofsted perspective
- Good planning
- A model for embedding
- Natural opportunities
This is in addition to multi-faith and other equality date reminders.
Wednesday, 1st April 2015
What do we mean by 'embedding' equality in our delivery?
Essentially, we are talking about making equality central to our everyday practice in the delivery of teaching and learning. Remember, equality and diversity should not be a 'bolt-on' that we consider every so often. The promotion of diversity should be a continuing priority.
Thursday, 2nd April 2015
Multifaith today: Maundy Thursday (Christian)
Today is... World Autism Awareness Day Autism is a developmental disability that remains with a person for his or her whole life. This condition affects the brain's functions. The first signs usually appear before a child is three years old. People with autism can:
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Friday, 3rd April 2015 – Bank Holiday
Multifaith today: Good Friday (Christian)
Saturday, 4th April 2015
Multifaith today: Holy Saturday (Western) (Christian)
Sunday, 5th April 2015
Multifaith today: Easter Sunday (Western) (Christian)
Monday, 6th April 2015 – Bank Holiday
Tuesday, 7th April 2015
Today - World Health Day (WHD)
World Health Day marks the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Each year, the Organisation selects a key health issue, and encourages people from all ages and all backgrounds to hold events that highlight the significance of this issue for good health and well-being.
Find out about the theme for 2015's WHD at www.who.int
Wednesday, 8th
Does The Equality Act mean I cannot cover certain themes in my delivery?
No, this is not the case. These obligations do not apply to anything done in connection with the content of the curriculum. Further education institutions are not restricted in the range of issues, ideas and materials they use and have the academic freedom to expose learners to a range of thoughts and ideas, however controversial.
Thursday, 9th April 2015
Example – equality in the curriculum
A college science department teaches evolution, which would not be discrimination because of religion or belief against a student whose religious beliefs include creationism (adapted from EHRC Technical Guidance).
Reminder
– in one month Europe Day (9/5)
Friday, 10th
Have you got the right perspective for embedding equality?
Compliance with legislation and doing well during inspection are clearly very important for us in lots of ways. But should these be the main drivers for our embedding equality endeavours? Actually, if we put the needs of our learners, staff and communities at the heart of everything we do, we will be successful, compliant and inclusive.
Saturday, 11th April 2015
Sunday, 12th April 2015
Multifaith today: Easter (Orthodox) (Christian)
Monday, 13
Multifaith today: Vaisakhi (Sikh)
Yes, this is what we mean by embedding equality!
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Tuesday, 14th April 2015
Multifaith today: Birthday of Guru Nanak (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) Hola Mohalla (Nanakshahi Calendar) (Sikh)
No, this isn't what we mean when we talk about embedding equality!
While the above may still be worthwhile we wouldn't describe them as 'embedding'.
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Wednesday, 15
Sharing good embedding practice internally
All providers will have staff that are more confident and effective at embedding equality than others. It can be really challenging for some tutors, especially for those that may have come straight from industry. An effective way of addressing this can be to use more proficient and passionate staff to mentor and coach other staff. Some providers appoint 'Advanced Practitioners' or 'Champions' to do this.
Thursday, 16th April 2015
An inspection perspective - 'Quality of teaching, learning and assessment'
Ofsted inspectors will make a judgement by evaluating the extent to which equality and diversity are promoted through teaching and learning.
Friday, 17
Embedding – a balanced approach
There may be some instances when you will plan a session with an equality focus. However, in most cases, you should be thinking about how you can draw an equality element into the material you will be delivering. It could be as simple as reinforcing learning concepts with a recent event or news story.
Reminder
– in one month International Day Against Homophobia (17/5)
Saturday, 18th April 2015
Multifaith today: Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh)
Birthday of Guru Angad Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh)
Sunday, 19th April 2015
Monday, 20th
Embedding and good planning
Embedding equality is much easier if you plan effectively. Before you finish your lesson plan ask yourself, is the plan prompting and helping me to embed equality? You may be able to view plans for similar sessions, for example where a colleague has successfully embedded an equality theme into a similar session.
Reminder
– in approximately one month Deaf Awareness Week (from 18/5)
Tuesday, 21st April 2015
Multifaith today: Ridvan - first day (Bahai)
Anniversary of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica (Rastafari )
How important is planning in terms of inspection?
"All the outstanding and improving colleges visited were judged at inspection to be good in terms of promoting equality and diversity effectively. In the best examples, the promotion of equality and diversity was, like self-assessment, integral to planning (How Colleges Improve, Ofsted).
Reminder
– in one month World Day for Cultural Diversity (21/5)
Wednesday, 22nd
'Promotion' and the Common Inspection Framework "Ofsted will inspect how well equality and diversity are promoted through teaching and learning. To make this judgement, inspectors will evaluate how well:
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Thursday, 23rd April 2015
Multifaith today: St George's Day (Christian)
What is more important, 'promoting' or 'embedding' equality?
'Promoting' and 'embedding' equality go hand-in-hand and should not be separated. The phrase 'embedding equality' is often used when we talk about making equality central to our everyday delivery. 'Promoting' is a means of embedding equality throughout our delivery and other responsibilities as a provider of further education and skills.
Friday, 24th
Advancing equality of opportunity
We should also remember the Public Sector Equality Duty requires us to advance equality opportunity. Advance means we are required to be proactive in terms of promoting equality and diversity. Despite the name, this duty applies to all providers of learning and training that are in receipt of public money to deliver services.
Saturday, 25th April 2015
Sunday, 26th April 2015
Monday, 27th
'Promoting' – a model for embedding
Pinnacle have developed a model based on the acronym 'Promoting'. This stands for Partners, Resources, Opportunities, Media, Organisational, Theme/topic, Inclusion, Next steps, Good practice..
Tuesday, 28th April 2015
Did you know...?
Ofsted now use the online system 'Learner View' enabling them to get a quick and accurate feel of learners views. Some inspections provoke a huge response. What would your learners say about you and how you cover equality and diversity?
Wednesday, 29th
Multifaith today: Ridvan - ninth day (Bahai)
Embedding and 'natural opportunities'
Taking advantage of 'natural opportunities' is a simple and effective means of embedding equality and maintaining an environment of respect. The nature of natural opportunities means we cannot always plan the finer details of how equality will feature in our delivery or dialogue with learners. However, we can often anticipate emerging discussions or responses and prepare ourselves by improving awareness on these themes.
Thursday, 30th April 2015
A characteristic of an Outstanding lesson, Ofsted:
"Staff manage learners' behaviour skilfully; they show great awareness of equality and diversity in teaching sessions"
