Pupils: Discrimination

(asked on 28th June 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support (a) pupils and (b) families who are the victims of discrimination in schools.


Answered by
Will Quince Portrait
Will Quince
This question was answered on 18th July 2022

The government condemns and strives to tackle all forms of discrimination, prejudice, and harassment. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools have a duty to take steps to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations across all protected characteristics, including between people of different ethnic backgrounds. The department has published advice to support schools to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010. Advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools?msclkid=9ce22dddcc5d11ec9a0a2d6e2fd0a666.

The department is also making sure that all children in England will learn about respectful relationships, in person and online, as part of mandatory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). The curriculum has a strong focus on equality, respect, the harmful impact of stereotyping, as well as the importance of valuing difference. Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health.

The department is also providing over £2 million of funding, between 10 August 2021 and 31 March 2023, to five anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. This includes projects targeting bullying of particular groups, such as those who are victims of hate-related bullying.

The department continues to publish information, guidance and support for teachers and school leaders on how to challenge radical views, including racist and discriminatory beliefs, on the Educate Against Hate website, available at: https://educateagainsthate.com/resources/respectful-school-communities-self-review-signposting-tool-2/.

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