We have a duty to ensure that all pupils can learn without prejudice, but recent statistics prove that there's still work to be done. 

A few years ago we took part in a project co-led by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and World of Inclusion to challenge disablist bullying in schools. In all my time working in education, I never met anyone who would not condemn disablist bullying or discrimination as abhorrent.

However, the distinction between those who would characterise a lot of it as ‘banter’ and others who would label it as a form of abuse is becoming more pronounced. How can this be the case?

Not one-size-fits-all

I have previously written about the extent of disablist bullying in schools. Two years on, it’s saddening to see that so little has changed.

In fact, the picture would appear to be even bleaker. Recent analysis revealed that approximately 82 per cent of children and young people with a learning disability have been victims of bullying, 32 per cent on a daily or weekly basis.

The opportunity to work with another school recently on equality and disability gave me the chance to rethink what we do at Priestnall to challenge discriminatory attitudes and promote equality. Most importantly, it reminded me that schools should be regularly reviewing what equality looks like.

The Equality Act (2010) introduced a single equality duty on public bodies which is extended to include all protected characteristics: race, sex, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, disability and gender reassignment. 

Promoting equal opportunity is a needs-based approach; imposing a one size fits all system will not work. It is also worth considering that ‘blanket policies’ are most likely illegal.

Some ways to build on anti-discriminatory work in your school can be through:

• using surveys, social networks, outside groups to inform you of needs and gaps
• ensuring that monitoring takes place and involves service users and service givers
• explaining why you are doing it how you keep things confidential
• embedding learning in all areas of both service delivery and employment.

One of the most valuable things I think schools can do more of is to ensure that all lessons, assemblies and discussions are representative of every pupil.

For example, does the school library offer an inclusive selection of books? Do maths lessons use images that represent everyone? Are our school council’s representative?

Refining relationships

In order to foster better relationships, we need to tackle prejudice and promote a better understanding of the differences that make us great. For schools, this means:

• highlighting the oppression, segregation and inaccessibility we’ve seen at various moments in our history (World of Inclusion has useful supporting material)
• expanding the use of audio-visual resources teachers can use to promote equality
• ensuring that the examples teachers use and the representations they use reflect the diversity of the population of the country, not just your cohort
• using 'diversity holidays' to draw attention to issues that teachers can subsequently cover across the curriculum (see here for further details)
• maintaining a consistent focus on diversity in all branding and publicity associated with the school.

When leading conversations on these issues, it’s important to keep in mind the medical and social models of thinking:

Adapted from Micheline Mason (1994) and R. Rieser (2005)

By adopting a social model of thinking, we don't fall into the trap of trying to 'normalise' an individual to fit circumstances. Instead, we aim for the opposite: working collaboratively to adapt circumstances in favour of the individuals. An approach based on solutions, not problems.

Actions speak louder

Doing nothing differently isn't an option. As SENCOs, teachers and school leaders, we have a duty to be proactive when it comes to tackling discrimination in our classrooms and playgrounds.

It's important to bear in mind our legal responsibilities, and how collective efforts can make an impact on individual pupils.

Police services across the UK have estimated that 450 reported hate crimes took place against disabled children last year, up from 181 in 2014-5. But we can change that.

Are you doing your bit? 

Further reading

• Disability language support sheet
• More on the social and medical models of thinking about disability
• Resources to support lesson and assembly planning
• Anti-Bullying Alliance