Gender equality

Gender Equality template for schools (word)
An example of a stand alone Gender Equality template, based on good practice distributed by the EMIE network.

The law

The guide to the law of school governors (link will open in a new window) states that pupils and school staff must not be discriminated against on the grounds of their sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins.
Direct discrimination - ie when a person is treated less favourably than others in the same circumstances because of their sex or race - is always unlawful. The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (link will open in a new window) gives details on the legislation.

Classroom resources

The Department for Trade and Industry has produced an equality teaching resource pack Does sex make a difference? which is aimed at children who are about to make subject choices that will have an impact on their future career.

The situation in the workplace

The Equal Opportunities Commission asked people about their expectations for equality between men and women.

At work, people believe they should have the same opportunities and the same rewards, regardless of their sex: 80 per cent of women expect to earn the same as a man who has the same qualifications. Over 90 per cent of people want their children to make free choices about work, unrestricted by traditional stereotypes about which kinds of jobs are 'suitable' for women and men.

Yet, as the Commission states, there is a gap between these expectations and the reality. In today's world women working part-time earn 40 per cent less per hour than men working full-time. And half of women and men thought the job advice they received on leaving school was influenced by their sex.

Download the full report (pdf) by the Equal Opportunities Commission

Homophobia

The Institute of Education at the University of London has published a study on homophobia, sexual orientations and schools (pdf). The document covers homophobic bullying in schools and sexual discrimination in the workforce.

Stand up for us (pdf) is a study by the DfES challenging homophobia in schools. It contains general information on the subject, a checklist on how to respond to homophobia, advice on recording homophobic incidents and a list with resources.

Information on policy, campaigns, research and statistics is available on the Equal Opportunities Commission website.