Equity and excellence
Succeeding at the highest level, having high aspirations and fulfilling potential are all contributors to long term community cohesion. Schools therefore have a responsibility to remove barriers to access and participation in learning and take measures to reduce achievement gaps between different groups of learners.
A school which promotes community cohesion effectively may have any of the following embedded in policy and then practice:
- a a focus on securing high standards of attainment for all pupils from all ethnic backgrounds and of different socio-economic status
- effective approaches in place to deal with incidents of prejudice, bullying and harassment
- admission arrangements that promote community cohesion and social equity.
Teachernet has developed a useful audit tool for considering previous, current and future activity in this area: Equity and Excellence audit
Further guidance on improving equalities, eliminating barriers to learning and closing achievement gaps can be found by following the links below:
Recording, reporting and responding to racist incidents
DCSF information and safeguarding guidance
Every Child Matters guidance on safeguarding children and staying safe
QCA National Curriculum for KS3 and KS4
A useful source of information and inspiration can be found at Multiverse.
Snapshots
The following snapshots demonstrate good practice in the Equity and Excellence area in Northumberland schools:
