What you can do

To help you understand and implement equality and diversity in practice, you should ask yourself:

• what are my beliefs and how am I managing them? How do I judge people?
• do I know who to talk to and what I should do when I have questions about equality and diversity?
• do I reflect on the opportunities I offer to others? Do I demonstrate commitment to equal access to all?
• do I model inclusive behaviour, welcoming the opinion and comments from all without showing bias?
• do I know my learners, colleagues and context well and do I consider and respond to their cultural and/or religious norms, and their physical and emotional needs?
• how can I find out more about how individuals define their identities and to what extent they wish others to know about these?
• am I aware of my own biases and unconscious influences, and do I challenge these in my interactions, to ensure equality for all? Do I have the courage to professionally challenge bias demonstrated by others? Do I make professional judgements free from bias?
• can I recognise racist behaviours in everyday social interactions (everyday racism), and know how to respond to and oppose them (racial literacy)?
• do I understand and recognise the language of discrimination and know how to respond to verbal abuse aimed at me or others?
• how would I respond to discrimination, harassment or victimisation directed to myself or another?
• am I keeping myself up to date with the correct language when referring to people with protected characteristics and if not, where can I seek further information?
• how do I overcome any language, learning or physical barriers that might disadvantage others in fully engaging with their learning or as part of our learning community?
• have I accessed professional learning to improve my practice and to develop more effective approaches towards supporting and addressing the wider agenda of equality and diversity?
• if I identify as part of a minority community, have I acknowledged and considered how my positionality and identity could influence, shape and support the thinking of others if I choose to be a visible role model in my context? Do I feel safe and supported enough myself to support, encourage and reassure learners, parents and others who may feel isolated, challenged or not recognised and valued?
• how do I play my part in enacting workplace policies to ensure visiting students, provisionally registered teachers and any new members of staff are not subjected to discrimination, harassment or victimisation?
• have I reviewed the Ethics in teaching: speaking up guide to ensure I maintain my position of trust as a teacher?
• have I reviewed the Engaging online, AI and expression of views guide to consider how I promote equality and inclusion online and in public?