Statement of Intent icon

Our Statement of Intent

Our Statement of Intent

Context

Sector bodies and national associations have come together to demonstrate their commitment to, and actions taken in, tackling issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in education. As signatories, we want our key stakeholders – pupils, families, staff, governors, leaders – to know that we are prepared to learn, listen and act on our shared concerns and that together we can achieve our ambitions for better DEI across the school system.

Co-Signatories

  • All-in Education
  • Ambition Institute
  • Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)
  • Chartered College of Teaching
  • Confederation of School Trusts (CST)
  • Diverse Educators
  • Independent Schools Council (ISC)
  • Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)
  • LGBTed
  • Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher Project
  • NAHT, school leadership union
  • National Governance Association (NGA)
  • Oasis Community Learning
  • Teach First
  • WomenEd

Purpose

This is a public statement by organisations working in the education sector to demonstrate commitment to playing their part in acknowledging the issues and furthering DEI in schools and trusts by taking action. We are working in a number of ways: independently, together and through our networks. Signatories will hold each other to account for delivering on these aims and will be held to account by our respective members and stakeholders. By being transparent about our actions, we want to give confidence to pupils and families, staff and leaders and those governing that we are learning, listening and acting on their concerns and ambitions for DEI.

Review

The progress and impact of these commitments will be reviewed every 12 months and an updated statement published. You can read the full document.

Read 22-23 Statement
Read 21-22 Statement

Our Commitment

“Our children in our schools are diverse and our schools serve diverse communities, thus we need to ensure that we have diverse representation at every level of the school system. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) need to be a strategic priority for every school, for every leadership team and for every governing board to ensure that we create a sense of belonging for all. We need a coherent and cohesive system-wide approach to addressing the inequities and barriers that oppress and marginalise groups of educators so that we can recruit, develop, retain and promote diverse educators. DEI needs to be a golden thread that runs through every policy, every practice, every person in every school. Every school needs to nominate a DEI leader who is supported to strategically lead on making our schools more inclusive and safer for all stakeholders.”

Our Developments

Since the last publication of this statement of action, Diverse Educators has:

Resources

  • Created a website of free DEI resources for schools
  • Created a directory of 155+ organisations to signpost organisations working in DEI
  • Published blogs from diverse educators 2–3 times a week (255 published to date)
  • Commissioned 23 DEI Toolkits to date
  • Hosted a monthly newsletter signposting DEI activity
  • Developed reading lists and glossaries
  • Published a book amplifying 125 voices: Diverse Educators: A Manifesto
  • Launched ‘Mighty Network community space’

Events

  • Hosted virtual #DiverseEd events termly
  • Created #DiverseGovernance webcast series
  • Created #FastForwardDiversityInclusion webcast series
  • Hosted an Annual World Book Day event to amplify diverse authors
  • Held the ‘Diversity in the Curriculum’ virtual conference
  • Held a DEI Leaders virtual conference
  • Hosted free webinars and showcased case events being hosted with partners like Lyfta and RWBA

Training

  • Developed ITTE series on DEI with NASBTT
  • Developed ECT series on DEI with Bowden Education / OTSA
  • Developed Leadership series on DEI with OTSA
  • Developed DEI leaders programme (now in its 18th cohort)
  • Developed DEI training for SCITTs
  • Developed Diversity masterclasses for teachers, leaders and governors

Conferences

  • Contributed to national events such as AOC, NAHT, NASBTT, UCET and trust conferences
  • Presented at international events such as BSME, COBIS, FOBISIA, LAHC and the World Education Summit

Community

Over the course of 2022–2023 Diverse Educators commit to:
  • Launching new programmes– Leading the Diverse Curriculum, Inclusive Workplaces and Courageous Conversations
  • Working with the Teaching School Council and TS Hubs
  • Pressing for our Diverse Educator book to be added onto reading lists for a lot of universities and SCITTs
  • Launching annual diversity in education awards
  • Developing collaborative partnerships
  • Growing the team of associate consultants, trainers and coaches
  • Creating DEI Calendar for education
  • Hosting book event with HeadsUp4HTs

Commitments for 2022/2023

  • Developed ITTE series on DEI with NASBTT
  • Developed ECT series on DEI with Bowden Education / OTSA
  • Developed Leadership series on DEI with OTSA
  • Developed DEI leaders programme (now in its 18th cohort)
  • Developed DEI training for SCITTs
  • Developed Diversity masterclasses for teachers, leaders and governors