Equality is beingequal, in status, rights or opportunities.
Diversity is the state of beingdifferent. Inclusion is the action of being included within a group. It isimportant that all three of these terms are used when working with children andyoung people, by doing so they can achieve and reach their full potential.
Allpupils have the right to a wide and balanced curriculum, which must besupported by a high level of teaching and learning experience. Places oflearning must consider equality, diversity and inclusion when policy making sothat every child matters. Professionals workingwithin a learning environment have a legal duty to protect the rights of allchildren and young people so that they are given the same opportunities. It isimportant that individuals examine their own beliefs, values and attitudes andconsider how they could impact on working with children. Children need to becherished and nurtured no matter what their background, being prejudice willonly bring negative effects upon the pupils which in turn will affect their academicprogress.
Staff working in schools must be aware of the ways that children andyoung people experience prejudice and discrimination and how lack ofunderstanding and knowledge of diversity can lead to prejudice. For example,working in a faith school and reciting prays when I do not practice anyreligion outside of school, shows that I support the school’s ethos and in orderto support the children I welcome learning about the school’s faith. Backgrounds,upbringing and experiences can influence the attitudes of individuals, but itis important that personal assumptions are put aside, and the school policiesare followed. For example, celebrating Halloween at home but understanding thatnot all schools support the celebration. Turning up in fancy dress would not beadhering to the school’s policy or that as a staff member. Prejudice and discrimination will only ever have negativeeffects on children and young people, not only can it effect their education,it can also have an impact on their health and well-being.
If children or youngpeople feel like they are being discriminated against they could lose their confidenceand in a worst-case scenario not want to attend school altogether. Which is whyit is important that schools have an anti- discrimination policy. Anti-discriminationpractice should be promoted in all areas of school life.
The children at ourschool are from various backgrounds, all of the children speak English but for someof their parents English is a second language, which why there are varioussigns around the school in multiple languages, so that when parents visit theschool they automatically feel included. It is important that policies are upheld and not just stated, schools need to practice what is stated bydemonstrating their anti-discrimination practice code. To see positive effects,they must also observe the impact positive practice has on well-being andeducation of the children in their care. As a member of staff, it is crucial todemonstrate anti-discrimination behaviour. We must be good role models andtreat every child or young person the same as the children will look up to usand follow our lead.In order to promote anti-discrimination practice, staffmembers must be aware of what discrimination is and how to challenge it. Therole of teaching staff is not only to teach but to protect children and youngpeople from harm and discrimination. If discrimination behaviour is not dealtwith accordingly, it could be viewed as tolerating such behaviour.
A childcould feel let down by there teacher for not supporting them, also they couldfeel like that kind of behaviour is acceptable. In order to challenge discriminationit is required to know what the policies, procedures and practices are
