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Equality diversity and inclusion

Our commitment 

NAHT is dedicated to promoting equality for all its members, and this commitment is enshrined in NAHT’s constitution. 

NAHT’s work on equality is overseen by our diversity and inclusion group, a sub-committee of NAHT’s national executive.

NAHT’s role

Our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work is centred around three aspects:

  1. Supporting our members as leaders: as school leaders, NAHT members are ideally positioned to create inclusive learning and working environments for all their pupils and staff, one which welcomes diversity and champions equality. NAHT’s role is to empower our members with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to do this effectively. 
     
  2. Supporting our members as individuals: we know members with certain protected characteristics face additional and/or specific challenges in their roles. As a Trade Union, our core purpose is protecting our members; whether proactively, for example campaigning to remove systemic inequities in the system, or reactively, aiding members who are experiencing particular issues in their workplace, through our representation and/or legal teams.
     
  3. As a democratic organisation: NAHT recognises that we are most effective in representing the views and needs of school leaders when we engage with all of our membership. We are therefore committed to ensuring our own democratic structures are inclusive and reflect the diversity of the educational professionals and learners that we serve.

NAHT’s equality networks

NAHT has three informal equality networks for members. These are led by members, for members.

Find out more about our networks, including how to join and planned meetings, by clicking on the links below. 

NAHT's EDI statements

Following a resolution at NAHT Annual Conference, we are developing a series of policy statements outlining NAHT’s views and commitments around equality, diversity and inclusion. These have been developed in conversations with NAHT’s equality networks, our diversity and inclusion group, and our national executive.

Click below to see our EDI statements:

Statements will continue to be reviewed and additional statements may be developed, as led by our membership.

Our statement of action and commitments on EDI in education for 2023/24

In September 2023, NAHT, alongside other key organisations working in the sector, outlined its new actions and commitments to help further equality, diversity and inclusion in education. Find out more and read our statement of action and commitments on EDI in education for 2023/24.

Resources

Advice and support

For more about the advice and guidance available from NAHT, along with resources to support members with EDI in their schools, see our EDI hub page.

TUC equality conferences

Every year, the TUC hosts a series of equality conferences that supplement the general work of TUC Congress. These conferences focus on supporting the advancement of issues that disproportionally impact minority groups. Find out more and how NAHT members can get involved.

Latest news and advice

You are Not Alone: Leaders for Race Equality

Originating from NAHT’s first equality network for Black, Asian and minority ethnic members, the ‘You Are Not Alone: Leaders for Race Equality’ book shares the personal experiences of 14 NAHT members from Asian, African, Caribbean and multiple backgrounds. It includes personal and challenging stories of the discrimination faced as both leaders and individuals through school, university, interviews and promotion, often having to prove themselves at every step on the way to leadership and facing both overt and covert racism from others.

The book is intended to help raise awareness and understanding of the issues facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic teachers and leaders, and to offer support and hope to those facing racism and discrimination. Common to many stories is the impact of the school environment and how vital the support and influence of role models can be.

We, therefore, encourage members to not only read the book themselves but also to share within your networks and local areas.

 


If you are interested in hearing more about the book or our wider equality work, then please contact policy@naht.org.uk.

Use #YouAreNotAlone if you wish to join the discussion on social about the book. 

NAHT Leaders for Race Equality

NAHT Leaders for Race Equality is open to all Black, Asian and minority ethnic NAHT members, across all roles, phases and sectors, including those who may have retired from the profession. The network provides a space for these members to come together to discuss the experiences and issues facing them as school leaders within NAHT and the profession more widely.

The knowledge and experience from the network aim to inform and deepen NAHT's expertise. It will also ensure we strengthen our representation for Black, Asian and minority ethnic members.

If you would like to join, email organising@naht.org.uk to find out more.

 

 

 

First published 24 June 2021
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