Jump to content

Why do diversity and equality matter?

Diversity is about recognising, respecting and valuing individual differences. Equality is about fairness and ensuring all people have equal access to opportunities. This topic focuses on diversity and equality specifically within school leadership. It explores the importance of continued work in this area and the steps we can all take in order to promote an equitable profession.

There are four principal reasons why a commitment to diversity and equality matters.

The moral case

In a fair and just society, everyone has the same access to training and educational opportunities, and the same opportunities to use their skills and talents. It cannot be right that some individuals and groups face barriers to progression within school leadership.

The legal case

Under the Equality Act 2010, the existing separate equality duties on public bodies, covering race, disability and gender, are replaced by a single equality duty. This single duty now extends to gender reassignment, age, sexual orientation, and religion and belief. The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public bodies (including schools and academies) to have due regard for the need to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act
  • improve equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
  • foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not

The social case

Education is a key determinant of life chances and enables individuals to develop the skills, capacity and confidence to secure other rights and economic opportunities. Creating the right learning environment for pupils and staff is key to their successful progression in life and in ensuring the positive contribution they make to the wider community.

Since 2007, schools have had a duty to promote community cohesion. A commitment to ensuring diversity and equality within the leadership of each school should be a core component of every school's response to this duty. The guidance states:

"Every school - whatever its intake and wherever it is located - is responsible for educating children and young people who will live and work in a country which is diverse in terms of cultures, religions or beliefs, ethnicities and social backgrounds...the diversity of people's backgrounds and circumstances is accepted and valued; similar life opportunities are available to all; and strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community".
Guidance on the Duty to Promote Community Cohesion, Department for Children, Schools and Families/Communities and Local Government (CLG), 2007

The business case

The risk of a future shortage of leaders would be mitigated if the number of leaders from under-represented groups was increased. Furthermore, leadership will be stronger and more effective if it is drawn from all talents. A diversity of perception, thinking and approaches adds value to an organisation. By increasing the involvement of all employees, the quality and quantity of output will be increased.

Further information