Good Practice in Promoting Race Equality in Schools and Colleges Highlighted by Ofsted

Good practice in promoting race equality in schools and colleges highlighted by Ofsted

Date: 22 Nov 2005

New reports from Ofsted look at race and education in schools and further education colleges

Today sees the launch of two new reports from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) which examine work on race equality in education in schools and further education (FE) colleges, including how those bodies are meeting the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act (RR(A)A).

Race Equality in Further Education highlights that the majority of colleges inspected are meeting their responsibilities under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. Nationally success rates for Black and minority ethnic learners in FE colleges have improved at an above average rate, with half of the colleges surveyed saying that they had noticed improvements across all racial groups. However inspectors found that there is a lack of Black and minority ethnic staff in senior positions and on governing bodies in FE colleges and not enough colleges are taking positive action to support their career development.

Race Equality in Education concludes that effective incorporation of issues on race and diversity into the curriculum can contribute positively to teaching and learning and support pupils’ attainment. Thorough guidance and strong leadership on handling race related incidents in schools contributed to better racial harmony within such schools. The report also finds that effective use of attainment data regarding different ethnic groups has had a positive impact on raising the achievement of under-attaining groups, and the RR(A)A has given further impetus to this work.

Ofsted’s Director of Education, Miriam Rosen , said:

“Today’s reports show what can be achieved when race issues are an integral part of the school and college curriculum. Teachers in the schools and colleges we visited said they are pleased that race issues are no longer simply a ‘bolt-on’ to the curriculum.

“There is still work to be done but the signs are good. Children and young people need a chance to question, discuss and debate what can sometimes be difficult and contentious issues when they are at school or college.”

Inspectors found that in many of the FE colleges visited there are good procedures in place to tackle racism and harassment and race-related complaints are rare. The report highlights the value of specialised guidance in dealing with race-related incidents in schools and points to the need for local authorities to revise such guidance regularly.

Race Equality in Further Education found that there is still work to be done to promote good race relations in a systematic, proactive way, and embed equality and diversity in the curriculum.

Inspectors found a strong commitment by schools and colleges to involving the community resulting in good participation on FE courses from Black and minority ethnic learners. Racial concepts were found to be a central part of the curriculum in schools but were found to be patchy in FE colleges.

Mrs Rosen concluded:

“ Most of the schools and colleges included in this study are good at creating a welcoming environment for children and young people of all races and backgrounds. These reports illustrate some exciting work being done to help improve social cohesion in our schools and colleges which deserves recognition.”