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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

Government response to consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace

​The government has finally published its response to the consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace, after the Women and Equalities Select Committee ("WESC") launched an inquiry into workplace sexual harassment in 2018.

In their response, the government have announced the intention to introduce mandatory duty on employers to protect their staff from sexual harassment at work. It is anticipated that this will require employers to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent harassment.

The government have also confirmed their intention to task the Equality and Human Rights Commission in developing a statutory code of practice. This will set out the steps that employers should take to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, and what can be considered in evidence when determining whether the duty has been breached.

To compliment this new code of practice, the government will produce accessible guidance for employers.

The government are continuing to consider extending employment tribunal time limits for those bringing sexual harassment cases from three to six months. This will apply to schools when the legislation is finalised and brought into effect. NAHT will provide members with further details as this progresses.

In the meantime, members may wish to take a look at the current technical guidance from the EHRC. This offers a legal explanation and practical examples of how to tackle and respond effectively to harassment, including:

  • definition and examples of harassment and victimisation
  • the effect of harassment in the workplace
  • responsibilities as an employer
  • how to prevent and respond to harassment.
First published 12 August 2021
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