Curriculum and Classroom Climate – Fife Education Equalities and Diversity Toolkit

Within the Refreshed Curriculum Narrative, Curriculum is defined as “the totality of all that is planned for children and young people,… across [the] four contexts: Curriculum areas and subjects, Interdisciplinary learning, Opportunities for personal achievement, and Ethos and life of the school as a community. “

The National Discussion on Education 2023 also highlighted

the importance of rights and understanding and respecting all forms of diversity should be integrated into the curriculum and curriculum-linked resources, for example understanding and appreciation of race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, poverty, and other protected characteristics. (6.3.12)

and

ensuring that the curriculum reflects and responds to linguistic and cultural diversity. (6.3.13)

All Learners in Scotland Matter: The National Discussion on Education,
May 2023

Components of an Inclusive classroom. A four way venn diagram including: Positively interact with children; Actively discourage classroom incivilities; Encourage open, honest and respectful class discussion; Use inclusive language and appropriate modes of address.

We need to ensure:

that all children and young people feel included and valued.

we normalise diversity to give every member of our community a sense of belonging.

that the breadth of the curriculum is responsive to the diverse needs of individual learners and reflects the uniqueness of learner’s communities.

we avoid one-off lessons/events or ‘celebrating difference’ so we do not unintentionally ‘other’ minority groups or reinforce stereotypes.

that the diversity of culture, identity and experience of Scotland today is reflected in the language, content and imagery used across the curriculum.

we positively represent people from all categories of each protected characteristic in our school resources.

that the history, experience and achievements of people from all protected characteristics are recognised in the curriculum and that their positive contributions to society are recognised.

we increase confidence by recognising, exploring, respecting and valuing all cultures and heritages.

adapted from: Promoting and developing race equality and anti-racist education, Education Scotland.

Educators need to be proactive in ensuring prejudice, discrimination and unconscious bias are removed from the curriculum. In the context of race this is sometimes referred to as De-colonising the Curriculum for which many excellent resources are available. Links are provided here to use as inspiration and to inform your thinking across all protected characteristics.