This course has been designed for senior leaders working in UK schools with the knowledge, skills and tools to take a strategic whole school approach to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. Course numbers will be limited to 20, to ensure that the course remains participatory and interactive and provides a safe space for leaders to develop their skills
The course comprises of four two-hour online training sessions which will take place from 1pm to 3pm on the following dates in 2024:
- Tuesday 17th September 2024
- Tuesday 8th October 2024
- Tuesday 5th November 2024
- Tuesday 26th November 2024
Participants will have access to supporting resources for 3 months following the final session to support them to embed the learning.
Registration for the senior leadership course is now closed. If you'd like to receive updates about future courses, please express your interest.
Session 1: Where Are We Now?
Tuesday 17th September 2024, 13:00 - 15:00
Session aims
During the session participants will:
- Consider what is required for a strategic whole school approach to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
- Recognise the barriers that can prevent Senior Leaders from successfully promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and how to overcome them, including unconscious bias and privilege
- Understand their equality duties under legislation, including the Equality Act 2010
- Explore how to collect and utilise equalities monitoring data effectively to inform strategy
- Learn how to effectively consult with the wider school community
- Understand what Ofsted is looking for with regards to equality, diversity and inclusion in schools.
Session 2: Building Strong Foundations
Tuesday 8th October 2024, 13:00 - 15:00
Session aims
During the session participants will:
- Look at case studies from other schools’ policies to identify potential areas of discrimination
- Develop skills to conduct effective equality impact assessments
- Explore how SLT can work with governors to develop effective, SMART, evidence-based equality objectives
- Recognise good practice around recognising and responding to prejudice-related incidents to create safe school environments for everyone
Tasks will be set between sessions with resources provided to embed learning.
Session 3: Embedding Equality into the Curriculum and Conducting Courageous Conversations
Tuesday 5th November 2024, 13:00 - 15:00
Session aims
During the session participants will:
- Be provided with tools to conduct an effective curriculum audit and support curriculum leads to thread equality, diversity and inclusion through all subjects.
- Consider how to deliver an impactful PSHE curriculum which supports young people to be active citizens, celebrate diversity and reject prejudice and hate.
- Develop skills to facilitate courageous conversations on equality, diversity and inclusion as a staff team.
- Recognise how to create successful equality working groups and how these can support the school in its drive to promote equality, diversity and inclusion
Session 4: Inclusive Recruitment and Moving Forward
Tuesday 26th November 2024, 13:00 - 15:00
Session aims
During the session participants will:
- Recognise the impact of language used in adverts, job descriptions and person specifications
- Consider where and how to advertise positions to reach a diverse audience
- Understand the different forms of unconscious bias and their impact in recruitment decisions
- Develop skills and be equipped with procedures that will support objectivity, reduce bias, and ensure decisions are based on evidence at all points of the recruitment process
- Consider when and how schools can engage in positive action around recruitment
- Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their current practice with regards to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
- Action plan steps to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within their practice and throughout the school