Most of you will know by now that we have achieved Level 3 (the highest level) of the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard. The assessment visit took place earlier on this term, led by members of Leeds City Council’s Equalities and Entitlement Team. Here are some extracts from the final report:
- The inclusive curriculum is a major strength of the portfolio and shows that the school is working hard to provide a curriculum which positively reflects the religious, linguistic and cultural diversity of society, promotes race equality, prepares pupils to become responsible citizens and increases empathy for global equality and fair trade. Teachers identify opportunities for developing multiculturalism in medium and short term plans and these are monitored and evaluated for overall coverage.
- The school makes very good efforts to engage all parents in the life of the school e.g. newsletters, Relax and Read in Reception, PTA, School Council, parents’ evenings, curriculum workshops etc. It also makes good efforts to engage the wider community and to develop the pupils’ sense of community through, for example, “Who do we think we are?” Themed Week, disaster appeals and links with other schools.
- Since achieving Level 2 of the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard in 2006, the school has been very active in promoting diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism and has received various chartermarks including: Inclusion, International Schools Award, Basic Skills and Healthy Schools.
- The school’s self-evaluation, development plans and action plans actively promote the process of embedding race equality throughout the school.
- The school ethos and learning environment makes a good contribution to harmonious learning communities.
- It has an excellent policy to promote positive behaviour with roles and responsibilities clearly outlined as well as positive and negative consequences.
Of course, we always want to keep getting better and better. We welcome the action points which are noted in the report. These were:
- to incorporate some role-play scenarios for older pupils around racism, so they are prepared for the possibility of such incidents after Moortown Primary where they may encounter no real incidents at all
- to continue efforts to recruit staff and governors who fully represent the school community, although there was an understanding that we must always recruit the best people for our children
- to prepare to publish equality objectives which will become statutory for all public bodies later this year
- to support other schools in achieving the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard