Diversity in Teaching - Children and Young People's Views on Diversity in Scottish Education (September 2020-May 2022)

Children in Scotland has been working with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) on a project focusing on diversity in Scottish education, specifically around race, with a view to supporting greater diversity in the teaching profession.

The project has been engaging with children and young people from across Scotland to hear their views and experiences of diversity in Scottish education, including the curriculum.

This will ultimately make sure education in Scotland includes and represents everyone who lives in Scotland and will support teachers to put into practice the professional values of social justice, integrity, trust and respect. They will embed equality and recognition of diversity as positive factors in their everyday teaching lives.

In November and December 2020 our national panel of children and young people meet online to share their opinions on lots of aspects of life in Scottish schools.

From April-June 2021 three schools piloted a resource, developed with input from the national panel, to garner more of an insight into children and young people’s experiences, opinions and suggestions. IYS supported the school staff to deliver this by delivering anti-racism training. 

Intercultural Youth Scotland will also carried out similar work with a youth group of their Young Ambassadors.

The pilot is now extending to more schools across Scotland and will run until May 2022.

The children and young people involved are a catalyst for change, addressing the challenges they and adults experience around ethnic diversity. Their voices will form recommendations for GTCS on how to support teachers, schools and education leaders to be anti-racist and make sure education in Scotland supports and includes all.

For more information contact Elaine Kerridge: ekerridge@childreninscotland.org.uk