Putting representation at the heart of your school this year - 5 key steps
The importance of fostering an inclusive learning environment is widely recognised. When students see themselves reflected in the curriculum they learn, the classrooms they learn in, and the school community they are part of; they feel empowered, engaged and able to thrive.
At Pearson, we’re passionate about inclusion and equal opportunity for all learners, whatever their ethnicity, background, ability or gender.
We know that schools and teachers are working to make this a reality, but progress can take time. The 2023 Pearson School Report revealed that, despite 9 in 10 schools taking steps to support diversity and inclusion, just 10% of teachers believe that education in schools currently reflects the diversity of pupils’ backgrounds and lives.
To help embed diversity into the every day in schools, we explore five key steps that can be integral in driving real, meaningful change across your school.
1. Celebrate diversity
Black History Month, International Women’s Day and Pride Month are just some of the many awareness periods across the annual calendar that offer a great opportunity to celebrate diversity within the learning environment. But it is important to go beyond these awareness days, weeks or months and embed this diversity within the fabric of your learning environment.
Celebrating diversity in this way can have a profound impact on the learning experience of students, and help them realise the multitude of opportunities available to them; opening up different areas of the curriculum and the careers beyond that.
“Making the case for representation, from my perspective, has always been easy: you cannot become what you have never seen.”
- Joy Mbakwe, Head of English, Lilian Baylis Technology School
Read Joy’s expert tips on how to improve representation in schools.
You can action this by planning assemblies, inviting guest speakers or working to showcase the rich cultures and backgrounds that are found within your school community - across any and all topics you teach.
Shining a spotlight on diverse role models, learning their work and understanding the impact of diversity in subjects across the curriculum, will not only be encouraging and inspiring for the students who get to see themselves represented, but so too for all students, who will undoubtedly be inspired by examples of success and innovation.
2. Create safe spaces for open conversations
Discussions about race and identity are important in establishing a truly inclusive learning environment.
Imagine a classroom where students feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints, even if they differ from the majority. This type of open dialogue fosters empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging for all. By championing representation, encouraging discussion and celebrating all differences as an opportunity to learn, students can feel safe in their learning experience.
How can you do this?
- Set ground rules: Establish clear rules to help students respect opinions, open-mindedness and active listening.
- Focus on understanding: The goal is not to ‘win’ but to ‘learn’.
- Respectful language: Set the tone as respectful, avoid stereotypes and generalisations.
- Celebrate diverse voices: Encourage all students to participate, make sure everyone has a voice.
Over 6 in 10 teachers feel confident speaking to students about disability, gender equality and racial injustices. With the classroom often the first place students encounter new experiences, teachers play a vital role in supporting them on this journey.
3. Empower students
Students are not just passive learners, they are individuals with unique experiences and perspectives.
When putting representation at the heart of your school, and supporting your students to become active participants in change, you can unlock a powerful force for driving diversity and inclusion within classrooms and schools.
Through this, you can create a classroom where students don’t just learn about diversity, inclusion and representation, but actively shape it. This isn’t wishful thinking, you can foster a culture where student voices guide the changes and conversations you teach.
“Inclusion needs to be embedded in all aspects of the school from curricula to pedagogy and teaching as well as broader school activities including social and extracurricular.”
- Suha Yassin, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Pearson
Access Suha’s expert advice on how to improve inclusion in schools/
By encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their learning environment, we send a powerful message: their voices matter. This fosters a sense of ownership, responsibility and belonging, making them feel valued.
Remember, a diverse and inclusive school isn't built solely by adults – it thrives with the active participation of its student body.
4. Broaden your curriculum and resources
We all know how impactful a story can be for students. It has the power to transport them to new worlds, ignite a passion for learning, and leave a lasting impression.
By broadening the resources we use, the curriculum we teach, and the stories we tell, we can ignite a deeper sense of recognition in our students, one that reflects the rich tapestry of cultures, experiences, and voices that make up our world.
64% of students agree that they learn better if they see people like them/from their background reflected in what they learn at school. Imagine the spark of excitement when a student reads the work of Benjamin Zephaniah, or the sense of possibility young students feel when they discover the achievements of Sally Ride.
"Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in a book, deserves to see names like theirs on the covers of books. If this isn’t achieved, we will never have a society with tolerance, understanding, empathy. Our children will never be able to walk in someone else’s shoes."
- Deborah MacLaren, Managing Director, LoveReading4Kids
Read Deborah’s essential blog about why diverse books must be the norm
When we diversify our resources and curriculum, we open doors to new possibilities, broaden learning horizons, and create an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.
5. Monitor, adapt and value your work
Once you’ve established a foundation for representation in your school, the next step is to continue to monitor, adapt and value your strategies.
This ensures you will make a lasting impact while evolving alongside your students.
By regularly gathering feedback from students, staff and parents, you can highlight improvements and successes, building these learnings into the future of your work. This can be reinforced by data around learning styles, participation and representation within the school.
In doing so, you will not only notice and be able to celebrate the importance of your work more regularly, but you will be a sustainable and impactful force for positive change too.
"Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in a book, deserves to see names like theirs on the covers of books. If this isn’t achieved, we will never have a society with tolerance, understanding, empathy. Our children will never be able to walk in someone else’s shoes."
- Laura Swiszczowski, Head of Programme Diversity & Inclusion, Teach First
See Laura’s piece on why pupils want to see themselves reflected by those who lead and educate them.
Pearson offers a wealth of resources designed to support educators on their journey towards creating a more inclusive learning environment. Here are some areas to explore:
‘Lit in Colour’ - a programme that supports schools to develop a more diverse English Literature curriculum through free access to set texts, a library donation of 300 books and responsive and informed training.
- Diversity Defined - Personal and unfiltered, our Diversity Defined series shines a light on the perspectives of educators and experts from across the sector, exploring what diversity in education means and how it can be realised.