www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Information for Teachers and Support Staff
Schools need to promote diversity and equality of opportunity for all, regardless of students’ race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class or disability. Teachers in particular should ensure that their language and behaviour is respectful of diversity and that it reflects school policies on the subject.
Much behaviour in school that is contrary to ideas of diversity will be classed as bullying or discrimination. This could include:
- Racist or homophobic name calling
- Offensive graffiti
- Targeting one person’s or a group of people’s belongings
- Exclusion from games or groups in class
- Being consistently ignored by a teacher
There is different legislation in place to prevent discrimination on grounds of race, disability and gender. You can get more information about this from:
Schools also need to tackle negative attitudes and actively promote difference, creating an atmosphere where all students and staff can feel comfortable, before bullying becomes an issue.
Hate Crime
When a crime is committed against someone because they are different in terms of race / ethnicity or sexuality, this is a hate crime.
You can report a hate crime in confidence, whether as a victim or as a witness on the Report It website.
Homophobia
Schools and teachers need to promote equality of opportunity for students and teachers whatever their sexuality.
Teachers should include sexuality and homophobia in relevant lessons, and deal sensitively and tactfully with homophobic bullying and language.
Racism / religious hatred
Britain is an ethnically diverse society where people from all different cultures and backgrounds contribute to the economic and social life of the country. However, people are still discriminated against because of their race, ethnicity or religion. Schools are well placed to challenge this both through the school culture and ethos, and through the way in which subjects such as British History and Citizenship are taught.
Furthermore, children from some minority ethnic communities consistently under achieve in comparison to those from other communities. The DCSF is committed to closing this gap.
In recent years, the number of children from refugee and asylum seeking communities has greatly increased. There are not many refugee children in Wiltshire at present, but this situation could change. These children will have particular, but unique, needs, and may themselves have been the victims of trauma. Asylum seeking and refugee children are entitled to educational provision, but their parents may have benefits withdrawn, especially if coming to the end of their asylum process.
Traveller and Romany Gypsy children have been defined as an ethnic group since 1999. A recent Ofsted report stated that they were one of the most vulnerable groups in the education system.
Disability
Disability affects some 15% of people in the UK at some time in their lives.
People with disabilities have rights under the Disability Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful for any service provider (including schools, businesses and organisations) to treat disabled people less favourably because of their disability. It also requires them to make reasonable adjustments to make their services accessible to people with disabilities.
Some children’s disabilities are diagnosed fairly early but others may take time to appear or may happen suddenly.
Sexism
Despite being on political agendas for many years now, sexism is still a problem for many people, mostly female, but some men experience it too. The law requires equal pay, equality of opportunity and absence of discrimination. More information can be obtained from the Equal Opportunities Commission (see link to the right).
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
