RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOLS

The school-based investigations have shown that real progress in the field of equal opportunities and the fight against discrimination can be made. This section provides schools with recommendations to help them develop strategies and schools think about activities to promote equal opportunities and reduce discrimination within the school. The recommendations focus on how schools can maximise the positive impact of these activities.

PREPARATION

Discuss and define objectives

It is important that the school has a clear idea about what it wishes to achieve from the activity. Some schools will want to address a specific problem present in the school community such as high levels of racism whereas other schools may want to be pro-active to ensure that problems do not emerge. It is important that schools avoid tokenistic activities.

Analyse the readiness of the school

In the first stage the school should: audit the curriculum for any pre-existing work on equal opportunities or discrimination; identify any current strengths or weaknesses in promoting equal opportunities; consider staff expertise and resources; and identify any constraints or opportunities to promote equal opportunities.

Use existing resources

There is already a wide range of resources to help schools promote equal opportunities and tackle discrimination. It may be worth schools contacting their local, regional or national government for resources.

Involve the wider community

Promoting equal opportunities and tackling discrimination is not just the responsibility of the school. The school can be supported by other agencies and to research external sources of help and information such as community organisations, charities, local government institutions or local universities.

Allocate sufficient resources

Equal opportunities work need not cost a lot of money or take huge amounts of time. It is important however, that any activity has both the financial and human resources to make it successful.

Short term versus long term

Short term activities in the area of equal opportunities and discrimination can be successful if they are part of a wider programme of work. Schools should look at developing a work programme over a longer period of time in order to achieve high levels of success.

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Tackling all forms of discrimination

Even if a school is addressing a particular form of discrimination or prejudice such as racism or homophobia it should look at ways of ensuring that the curriculum and ethos in the school is used to challenge discrimination or prejudice against any group or individual.

Equal opportunities should be central to the ethos and aims of the school

Those schools that successfully promote equal opportunities embed this aim centrally within the ethos of the school. Equal opportunities and the fight against stereotypes and prejudices should be implemented in all areas of the school life and school curriculum and not be seen as something that can be achieved in an afternoon as a discrete topic.

The importance of school policies

Equal opportunities policies are valuable to schools. The policies ensure consistency in approach and clarity for everyone in the school community in terms of their obligations towards upholding the policy. Clear policies can increase the confidence of teachers when dealing with issues related to equal opportunities and discrimination which can sometimes be sensitive issues. It is important that all members of the school community are involved in drafting the policy and that once agreed the policy is communicated to everyone.

Curriculum opportunities

Schools should seek out ways in which positive and non-stereotypical images of different groups, cultures and identities can be included in the curriculum. Issues of prejudice and stereotyping should be discussed in the classroom and across different subjects within the curriculum.

Pupil involvement

Try and involve pupils in the project at an early stage and capture pupils views about the strengths of the school and the ethos of the school. Each school is situated within a different community and needs to explore the needs of that diverse community and its young people.

Equal opportunities - the responsibility of all

It is the responsibility of all teachers to educate against prejudice and discrimination and to ensure that all students have equal access to learning, the choice of different subjects and to respect and support. All members of the school community should be involved in discussions about equal opportunities work in the school.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Learning through experience

Secure the active participation and involvement of the target group. Direct contact between different groups - cultures - is one of the most positive ways of breaking down stereotypes.

Leadership

Successful work in the area of equal opportunities will benefit from strong leadership and support from headteachers, members of the senior management team, teachers and support staff.

Investing in individuals

The school should seek to place trust in the students themselves by providing the means for the students to resolve problems in the schools and to contribute to the development of the school ethos and equality focus.

Implementation

Planning

Schedule when and what takes place where. Ensure that follow up meetings are held regularly.

Awareness

Ensure that everyone - pupils, teachers, parents, local community - are aware of the equal opportunities work in the school.

Monitoring and evaluation

It is important that the school examines the success of the activity against the objectives that were set in order to learn for the future and identify areas where further work is needed.