Culturally Responsive

The underpinning foundation of culturally responsive schools is that they understand pupils’ backgrounds and not only acknowledge them, but embrace cultural learning to adapt policies, pedagogy and the curriculum. Creating a climate where the backgrounds and experiences of all are valued equally will build self esteem, encourage parental engagement and build a positive ethos, enabling young people to be confident and proud about their cultural background.

The Scottish Government have a commitment to developing Culturally Responsive teaching, starting with Initial Teacher Education providers. By teaching teachers through culturally responsive pedagogy it should become more natural for teachers to then adopt the same approach in classrooms.

First of all, get to know your pupils and understand their backgrounds, if they speak another language, if they go to a first language school (e.g. Polish Saturday School) and if they have any special events through the year.

Find out about the community and different groups and events that take place, so you can be aware when there are important events or festivals. Also encourage pupils to find out about their local community, perhaps as part of an interdisciplinary learning theme.

Encourage a climate of discussion and sharing. The class could discuss what the word ‘home’ and ‘nationality’ mean to them. Celebrating diversity and differences is an important part of culturally responsive classrooms, but it is also important to look at how people are similar as well as how they are different (e.g. family, friendships, ages, likes/dislikes etc).

Never assume that pupils or parents will know things – it may be that their experience of education is very different and they may not know what the protocol is (reporting absence, snow days, school meals/packed lunches, uniforms, parent nights, homework, supporting learning at home etc). The EAL Service can support the school in offering a session with parents to understand their experiences of education and what is different in the UK. If parents don’t do something you would have expected them to, or perhaps do something you would expect them not to, or do something differently, think about why that may have happened. A friendly chat (through a telephone interpreter if necessary) can help to clear up any difference in understanding.

Include books, pictures, resources, songs and objects from other cultures in the classroom, and find out from the pupils if they have experience of subjects being taught differently, whether it be different methods in Maths, different writers in language studies, or a different outlook on historical or current events.

When teaching any area of the curriculum, think about whether it assumes knowledge that some of your pupils may not have. For example, a text may assume norms that some pupils may not be familiar with, whether it be cultural celebrations, particular family routines or events that are not the same in other cultures.

Here are some links to further information. Some information is from other countries but the approach is the same:

What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching? | Understood - For learning and thinking differences

view (neu.org.uk)

A key element of culturally responsive schools is that they celebrate diversity. Here are some of the key things you can do in the classroom:

·      Celebrate different languages, cultures and cultural events. Check out the cultural calendar on the home page for some key dates.

·      When looking at historical or famous figures, from mathematicians to poets, sportsmen to public figures, include examples of people from the cultures and countries represented in your classroom.

·      Encourage the school to celebrate a language of the month from those represented in school. You could focus on a different language each month, with all pupils greeting each other in the focus language.

·      Parents could work with the school to support assemblies for language of the month, or a café to celebrate cuisine from around the world.

Some useful links:

Nine ways to celebrate diversity | British Council

Image from Famous Refugees – Refugee Week