The term DEI is a universal term used across business, education and wider communities to stand for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and the Global Equality Collective (GEC) believes that all three are closely linked.
To unpack the nuances in these terms they can be identified as ‘diversity is the difference, and inclusion is welcoming this difference’.
Or-
- that diversity is being invited to the disco and inclusion is being asked to dance.
- diversity is something you have and inclusion is something you do
- diversity is more of a fact, inclusion is more of a feeling.
- diversity is the difference and inclusion is getting the best out of that difference.
It is possible to have a diverse school community where people do not feel included - and it is also possible to have an inclusive school, which is not very diverse.
‘Diversity’ in diversity and inclusion, refers to the range of human differences.
This range is wide and includes all differences, the most common being differences outlined in the Equality Act (2010) which includes race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, age, social status, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. This piece of legislation combines 116 pieces of policy into one.
The GEC goes beyond the Equality Act to consider other differences such as single parents, socio-economic status (SES), care experience, cognitive or neurodiversity, menopause, and wider topics, like flexible working and global citizenship.
Diversity often focuses on the differences between people.
Inclusion is the act of welcoming and encouraging those differences.
Diversity can be described using this helpful image, as not all differences are visible.
The water line represents all the differences we can usually see - or ‘visible diversity’. Everything below the iceberg is usually invisible diversity.
People can differ hugely in their political beliefs, thinking style, personality, character and life experiences - these differences can become more noticeable the more you get to know someone, or they may remain hidden.
‘Inclusion’ in diversity and inclusion, focuses on creating a culture, an environment where all different kinds of people feel like they belong, have fair (equitable) access to opportunities, and can thrive and succeed.
The GEC Platform is an accessible, affordable, and impactful cloud-based tool designed for schools and educational organisations to tackle diversity and inclusion. The GEC is made up of two parts -
The People. The GEC has over 13k+ online followers and boasts over 300 DEI experts in the Global Equality Collective.
The tech. The GEC Platform is a cloud-based analytical tool for schools and educational organisations allowing them to tackle diversity and inclusion, through the ultimate ‘cultural health check’. The platform enables schools to evaluate their current DEI position through a simple survey tool and supports the leadership to work with teachers and students to improve and broaden understanding and to inform their future DEI strategy with coaching recommendations, an Action Plan and a CPD hub for all staff.
This pdf explains more about how the GEC can support DEI.
The recent Pearson School Report (2023) that surveyed 6 thousand staff members tells us that only “1 in 10 teachers believe that the education taught in schools today reflects the diversity of pupil’s lives and backgrounds”.
The GEC has now surveyed over 8,000 educators and almost 5,000 students. They have learnt that there is a 12% gender pay gap in education, 78% of students do not have a member of staff they can be honest within their setting, and 57% of students believe that they are left out of things “because I am ‘me’“. The time to get your own data and create an inclusive culture in your setting is now not only necessary - but achievable with the GEC Platform!
The GEC Platform is an accessible, affordable, cloud-based tool designed for schools and educational organisations. It provides schools and educational organisations with a benchmarking tool to understand requirements and measure progress in the arena of diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Part 1 is a self-assessment for the leadership of the organisation. Watch this 2-minute video on Level 1 staff - here
- Part 2 is a staff survey, designed for all team members from the site team to SLT
- There is also now, Level 2 - the ‘Student Module’. Watch this 2-minute video on Level 2 students - here
Once the survey has been completed results are immediate, and provide a statement to identify effective, quality-assured recommendations for each point.
A school can then put together a personalised road map, based on these recommendations using the 'GEC Action Plan’.
Platform members also get access to a ‘Netflix’ style online library of content with over 230 resources for them to educate themselves on everything DEI. This is a network of over 300+ experts to tap into for further support alongside an online community of over 13k members.
The GEC would like to see in the future a world where:
- We will be free to be whom you want to be, regardless of how you identify as.
- We will recognise how our privilege can open opportunities and secure justice for others.
- We understand our impact on a local and global scale - and see the world as one global collective.
If you like what you have read in this blog about how the GEC can support you, GEC is offering LGFL Trusts, schools, and colleges a limited time, 10% discount if they sign up this September. If you are interested email office@thegec.org and quote #LGFLsentme as the reference code
More information on the GEC Platform is here:
https://www.thegec.education/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-schools
