Equality matters

The importance of equality runs through the NUT’s work. It is a key priority of the NUT to ensure that its members have a voice in the Union, in the classroom and in broader society, and do not face barriers to promotion, representation or participation. We believe that all children and young people should have equal access to a good school and an education system which treats staff and pupils fairly.

The NUT deplores racist behaviour of any kind and condemns all forms of racism, prejudice and stereotyping. Racist behaviour must not be legitimised by the result of the EU referendum vote this summer.

Schools need to provide safe spaces for all children and young people, free from racism and negative language or attitudes which lead to bullying. Schools can create a culture and ethos that challenges harmful behaviour and ensures that all parents and pupils are welcome and safe in that school. Schools need to take active steps to counter prejudice, welcome and listen to parents and have a positive approach to every child’s strengths.

We work with other organisations in tackling discrimination and inequality in schools/colleges through whole school and curricular activities and to produce resources to support teachers.

We have a list of equality dates and events, updated throughout the year.

The three Equality Seat Holders (ESH) are producing termly reports.

 

equality matters

Please let us know your equality characteristics

Please let us know your equality characteristics

By telling us more about yourself, we can help you become more engaged, informed and involved in the NUT. Simply check and update your details here. You can follow our quick-step-guide . Read more about the equality characteristics that we monitor.

For information on security, see our Data Protection statement at www.teachers.org.uk/privacy As well as helping us to target appropriate materials to you, the data will feed into anonymous statistical reports which help us identify barriers to participation in our structures. Information that you provide us will remain strictly confidential.

New guidance for EU nationals

New guidance for EU nationals

The Government recently updated its guidance on the status of EU nationals following the triggering of Article 50.  The guidance, issued on 7 April 2017, is available as a new information page at GOV.UK and may be accessed here.  The revised guidance replaces the statement issued in July 2016.  

The unions (NUT, ATL and NAHT) have also received a reply to their letter to Justine Greening urging the Government to protect the status of EU teachers already in the UK.  The letter to the Secretary of State and her reply may be found here.

Barriers report: the impact of racism on BME teachers

Over 1000 Black teachers shared their stories of everyday school experiences in a survey and focus group research carried out by the Runnymede Trust, commissioned by the NUT.  The Report is available to download and copies can be obtained by emailing equality@nut.org.uk. For further information about the research and details of the findings go here.  

Breaking the Mould: challenging gender stereotypes

The NUT worked for two years with five primary schools to consider how ‘traditional’ gender stereotypes could be challenged in nursery and primary classrooms. We have published a series of resources, which are available here.
stereotypes stop you doing stoff Boys' things and girls' things? Its Childs Play  

The School Census

The School Census

Schools are being asked to collect information about the nationality and country of birth of pupils for the first time in this year's census form. This is causing a great deal of anxiety to both parents and schools, who are concerned about the uses to which such information may be put. The School Census 2016/17 guidance provides school groups with a tool for requesting that their school adopts a policy statement of fair processing.

Challenging racism

Challenging racism

The NUT has a series of resources available to support schools and teachers to challenge racism, including some produced in partnership with the Show Racism the Red Card, the campaign that uses top footballers to educate against racism.

Education and Extremism – guidance on Prevent

Education and Extremism – guidance on Prevent

Untitled Document

This advice and guidance on the Prevent strategy for members in England and Wales includes practical suggestions about steps that you can take in your school/college towards discussing difficult, complex or controversial issues openly and safely.

It also includes information about the Prevent duty statutory guidance, school inspection and useful resources for teachers.

Welcoming Refugee Children to Your School

As a response to the refugee crisis the NUT has created a hub for refugee teaching resources, booklists for primary and secondary teachers and useful websites which have been developed, used and shared by teachers for teachers.
The Welcoming Refugee Children to Your School guide provides information about ways in which you can create a refugee-friendly school, make an accessible curriculum and think about some principles of effective practice.

£35K Earnings threshold for non-EU citizens settling in the UK

£35K Earnings threshold for non-EU citizens settling in the UK

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, says that from April 2016 teachers from outside the EU who have stayed here as Tier 2 visa holders since 6 April 2011 must leave the country after 6 years unless they are earning at least £35,000 or are on the shortage occupation list (i.e. Maths/Science secondary school teachers).

The NUT wants the Government to rethink its policy, particularly in the light of the teacher shortage crisis.

What you can do to help:

Ask your MP to raise the issue in Parliament and with the Home Secretary.

Why Trans Teachers Matter

Why Trans Teachers Matter

The NUT’s Why Trans Teachers Matter leaflet celebrates the importance of supporting transgender pupils and staff and challenging the attitudes which generate transphobia in schools.

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