Equality, diversity and inclusion campaign

Commitments and progress

1. �� will��conduct research��on the experience of governors and trustees from Black, Asian or minority ethnicities and those aged under 40, and on the views and perceptions of people from these groups that do not currently volunteer.��

Our action: We published the��Increasing participation in school and trust governance report��in June 2021.��

2.��Improve our information, guidance and e-learning��for governing boards on equalities and diversity and ensure it is threaded through our suite of information and guidance.��

Our action:

Produced a three-unit eLearning module on��‘Equality and diversity – a practical guide for governors and trustees’. 99% of users who have completed the module would recommend it to others and 94% of users say it will help them to improve their governance practice.
�� has partnered with ASCL to develop a��programme of e-learning modules��intended to focus on creating an inclusive culture through practice, and going beyond compliance by giving users the knowledge, understanding and tools to do so.
Published guidance on��‘Equality and diversity: responsibilities, culture and impact’��which outlines governing board legal duties, what this means in practice and the importance of a culture that embeds equality and inclusion.��
Published a governing board diversity indicators form to help boards gather data on their membership and use this as a basis for discussion and action.
Updated our popular��Being Strategic guidance��to cover the impact of a positive culture on diversity and equality
Released an��updated toolkit��and��new eLearning module��on executive leader recruitment to emphasise the importance of a fair and inclusive recruitment process and of attracting candidates from underrepresented groups.

3. Support the��creation of a BAMEed Network governance hub.��

Our action:��We��developed the �� and BAMEed��steering group on governance and race with the��. The group��focussed on promoting ways in which governing boards can action on the ground to improve race diversity on governing boards.

4.��Re-energise the Everyone on Board campaign.

Our action:

We hosted a podcast on��Increasing participation in Governance. Speaking to three Chairs and Governors, we discussed why diversity on boards is important. We explored how boards diversified their membership and supported new governors and trustees when they joined.
We hosted a podcast on��Being a young governor��(episode 18). In their��own words two members of ��’s Young Governors’ Network, talked about their experiences of being a young governor, the importance of diversity of thought and representation on boards and what they have learnt from governing.��
We arranged for three governors of Black and mixed heritage to take part in a the ‘’ series on BBC Radio 4 World at One
We have developed partnerships with organisations including Operation Black Vote which include��writing articles��for their publication and presenting at events.

5.��Continue to work with other national representative organisations��to ensure as an education sector we are making progress and coordinating activity to maximise impact.

Our action:��We have met and shared insight and progress with other national representative education organisations. In particular, we have met with representatives of��and of��to hear directly from senior leaders about their experiences, what support they would like for their boards and to develop solutions for these needs.

�� is a co-signatory to the sector-led statement of action and commitments published in June 2021 and updated annually since.

6. Summarise and promote to governing boards a��range of race charters, frameworks and audit tools��that have been created for schools/trusts.

Our action:��You can find the round-up in the��Knowledge Centre.

7. Continue to��report on the diversity of our own board.

Our action: ��’s trustees recognise that, while reflecting the school and trust governance community, the board does not reflect wider society and the community schools serve. For its autumn 2020 and 2021 election, �� encouraged members to nominate Black, Asian and minority ethnic governors, trustees and clerks for its board and promoted the opportunities widely. Diversity of our own board continues to be a key consideration.��

��

Our other EDI work

�� is a co-signatory to the sector-led statement of action and commitments on equality, diversity and inclusion in educatio. View the Statement of Action.
�� is signatory to the Department for Education’s statement of intent on diversity, which was published in October 2018.��.
�� is a strategic partner of the BAME forum, a local Birmingham network, where we have been involved in delivering a session on governance to current and aspiring leaders on the BAME forum’s development programme.
Submitted a response to the government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities consultation in November 2020.

We welcome and encourage feedback on our work – please do send us any suggestions, comments or questions
If you are a governor or trustee from an underrepresented group, and are interested in participating in our work on equality, diversity and inclusion eg by sharing your story with us��or being willing to share your experiences in the media, please get in touch
If your governing board has taken action to improve its diversity and inclusion, or has done proactive work in developing its role in equality, diversity and inclusion, no matter how small, we’d love to hear from you to share your practical tips with others

Please email��adelaide.chitanda@nga.org.uk��to get involved.