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ITTE Providers' Toolkit

ITTE Providers' Toolkit

Toolkit collated by Dr Adam Brett

Does the Teaching Profession Have a Diversity Problem?

Research over many years has consistently shown that teachers and leaders from black and global majority (AKA BAME) backgrounds are underrepresented in the teaching profession. While this data has improved in recent years, the issue remains. It is important for ITTE providers to recognise the barriers that exist for black and global majority aspirant teachers applying to the profession. We must also examine why these applicants experience lower success rates than their white peers. UCL (2020) also report that 46% of schools in England have no black and global majority teachers.

Examining the teaching profession through the lens of other protected characteristics reveals the challenges that many other teachers face from minority or marginalised backgrounds. TES (2021) highlights the physical and mental challenges that disabled teachers face in the profession; Brett (2022) explores that anxiety that is often experienced by LGBT+ teachers; and EDT (2022) highlight the lack of representation of women in leadership, despite representing nearly three quarters of the teaching workforce.

Why Is it So Important to Ensure DEI Sits at the Heart of Your Teacher Training Programme?

The evidence suggests that teachers who belong to marginalised groups are underrepresented in schools and are likely to experience more challenging working environments. ITTE providers therefore need to think about the additional support that aspirant teachers may need before, during and after their initial teacher training year. Recognising that a model of equity rather than equality is needed, and that teachers from minority backgrounds may experience additional stress or challenges, is an important starting point for ITTE providers. DEI needs to lie at the heart of ITTE so all teachers can see a place for themselves in the profession, and as importantly, so they can create diverse, safe, and inclusive classrooms for their students.

The Diverse Educators’ ITTE Providers’ DEI Toolkit

You will find below a bank of resources to help you and your team as you examine your current provision and think about the ways DEI can be prioritised to ensure all trainees feel supported and included. Some questions to think about may include:
  • Is there a person who is responsible for DEI within your ITTE organisation? Do they have time and remuneration for the position?
  • Do you have a DEI objective on your improvement plan?
  • Do you know which of your trainees have a protected characteristic or belong to a minority group?
  • How do you communicate your commitment to DEI to prospective applicants?
  • Are there safe spaces for teachers from minority groups to attend?
  • Are your policies and documentation inclusive?
  • Do school mentors receive DEI training or support
  • Are you sending trainees into schools where they will be safe and supported?
  • Does your curriculum include and celebrate a broad range of diverse voices?

Articles

Educational Development Trust – Women in Education Leadership

Read

NFER - Ethnic diversity in the teaching workforce: evidence review

Read

Taylor and Francis Online – Under the Spotlight: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Visible LGBT+ Teacher

Read

TES – Disabled teachers ‘Sidelined’ and Told ‘Get on with It’

Read

TES Magazine – Why Teaching Still Has a Diversity Problem

Read

UCL – 46% of All Schools in England Have no BAME Teachers

Read

Blogs

Diverse Educators – It Is about Time Initial Teacher Training and Education Embraced Diversity and Inclusion

View

Diverse Educators – My Experience as a Neurodivergent Student Teacher

View

NASBTT – #InspiringDiversity: Prioritising DEI in ITTE

View

Books

Dellenty, Shaun. Celebrating Difference

View

Gordon, Stacey. Unbias

View

Kara, Bennie. Diversity in Schools

View

Sarpong, June. Diversify

View

Wilkinson, Bethaney. The Diversity Gap

View

Woods, Arthur and Tharakan, Susanna. Hiring for Diversity

View

Good Practice

GITEP

View

Mid Essex Teacher Training

View

NFER

View

Welsh Government

View

Networks

BAMEed

View

DisabilityEd

View

LGBT+ Beginner Network

View

NASUWT

View

NEU

View

WomenEd

View

Podcasts

Diverse Educators

Listen

NASBTT

Listen

Pride and Progress

Listen

School Should Be

Listen

Resources

Anti-Racism Framework for ITTE

View

Education Support

View

Nottingham University

View

RE: Online

View