Race equality in schools

The role of schools is central to breaking barriers between young people and helping to create cohesive communities.

The Community Cohesion Standards for Schools (pdf) characterises a cohesive community as one where:
there is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities
the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued
those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities
strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods

Community cohesion - national policy and local case studies are available.

British inspection regimes are legally required to look at the ways in which schools implement policies on race equality and cultural diversity. In this context, it is valuable to study the criteria that Ofsted uses, as set out in Evaluating educational inclusion: guidance for inspectors and schools (pdf), issued in 2000.

Ofsted's race equality scheme, dated March 2003, acknowledges its ‘ important role in checking the compliance of bodies under inspection with the legal duties that relate to them and commenting on the effectiveness of their plans’.

Useful documents to download

Statutory code of practice on the duty to promote race equality - a guide for schools (pdf)
Consultation draft.

Preparing a race equality policy for schools (pdf)
Includes information about the duty to promote race equality and steps to prepare race equality policy.