Written question WQ85204

School governors are volunteers who play a vital role in setting policies for their schools and challenging their senior leadership teams to ensure their effectiveness.

Consideration of an equality and diversity champion role on school governing bodies was a recommendation from Professor Charlotte Williams’ Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group. The role is not mandated because all schools will have their own unique ways to demonstrate inclusivity and celebrate diversity.

We have provided a model role description - which was tested and developed with Professor Williams’ working group and other expert groups - to governing bodies to provide an understanding of the benefits of appointing an equality and diversity champion and the duties they may perform. The appointment of an equality and diversity champion does not alter the requirements on a governing body to fulfil its statutory equality functions. An equality and diversity champion is just one way to show the whole school community that a governing body takes this seriously and wants to lead by example.

Equality and diversity champions should be prepared to speak up for equality and diversity at all times and in all policy making decisions. They should be comfortable in challenging school leaders and governors where they think the school is falling short or acting in a way that is discriminatory. They should also raise awareness about the issues related to diversity and inclusion to promote equality. Champions should work with the headteacher and local authority to monitor and update the school’s strategic equality plans and objectives.

My officials are collating good practice examples from schools of how this is working well to share and inspire others.

School governors must attend induction training which includes a section on equality, and governing bodies must have due regard to our statutory guidance, for example on behaviour and bullying, when writing policies for their schools.

We are also working closely with the National Academy for Educational Leadership to ensure school leaders and school governors receive ongoing professional learning, guidance and training in crafting positive school cultures and embedding race equality and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic perspectives and contributions as part of a whole-school approach.