A one year WEA project has culminated in the publication of a practical toolkit designed to help adult education providers to achieve excellence in equality and diversity.
The WEA has a long and proud history of re-engaging excluded people and communities in education, so this project to identify and share what the best education providers do to ensure equality and diversity was a natural fit.
We hope that the work provides a starting point for organisations across the sector to share, develop and improve equality and diversity practice - and by doing so improve the experience of every adult learner.
The project included research and interviews with fifteen colleges and other adult education providers, all of which had been recognised in Ofsted reports as 'Outstanding' at ensuring equality and diversity in their teaching and learning.
The toolkit was launched at an event in Nottingham in March, and is available for free, along with an accompanying video Join the Conversation, from the project blog at: equalityunboxed.com.
Also available is the project report Achieving Excellence in Equality and Diversity.
WEA East Midlands region was funded to carry out the research and create the toolkit by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.
Tips from the report for adult education providers:
- Equality and diversity must be integrated into the work of the organisation. It is not a 'bolt on'.
- A proactive commitment to equality and diversity from all levels of leadership within the organisation is required.
- Students must be actively included in informing policy and practice in equality and diversity.
- Many of the successful providers studied made innovative and inclusive curriculum decisions, and built close partnerships with local communities.
- Effective communication, including transparent and consistent communication of strategy, is needed
- Organisations need to be ready to question established norms and practices, think creatively and understand that better equality and diversity practice will benefit the whole organisation, its students and the community it serves.
Find out more at: equalityunboxed.com.