HMIE: Excellence in Equality and Diversity Education

Through its inspections and reviews, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) promotes equality and diversity and identifies good practice in equality education for children, young people and adult learners. HMIE is committed to disseminating that good practice across the system.

In all inspections and reviews, HM inspectors look at how establishments and services are addressing issues of equality and diversity. They encourage educators to promote equality and diversity. They explore issues such as:

• How well are learners prepared to challenge stereotypes and be involved in actively promoting equality within the establishment/ service and the wider community?
• Are learners treated with equality, fairness and respect?
• How do staff challenge stereotypes and actively promote and ensure equality of opportunity?
• How do the courses and programmes offered ensure that all learners develop knowledge, skills and understanding of equality issues?
• How do leaders support and challenge all staff effectively to ensure equality of provision and outcome for all learners?

During this session, Jane Renton will share examples of excellent practice in equality and diversity education from inspections and reviews in the pre-school, school, college and community learning and development sectors. Stuart Maxwell will talk about approaches to equality and diversity education at Eastwood High School, which were evaluated as excellent by HMIE.

Jane Renton
Jane is currently acting Assistant Chief Inspector with responsibility for equality and diversity in HMIE. Her responsibilities also include HR within HMIE and HMIE's international links. She was co-ordinating author of the HMIE report Improving Scottish Education 2005-2008, published in January 2009.

Since joining HMIE in 1999, Jane's responsibilities have included inspection of pre-school centres, primary and secondary schools and education authorities. She has been National Specialist for modern languages; Lead Inspector for continuing professional development within HMIE and for independent schools; and acting Assistant Chief Inspector supporting HMIE's Senior Management Group.

Before joining HMIE, Jane was a principal teacher of modern languages in West Lothian, Fife and Edinburgh, working in primary and secondary schools, both education authority and independent.

Stewart Maxwell
Stewart has been headteacher at Eastwood High School, Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire for seven years.

In its report of December 2006, HMIE evaluated Eastwood High School's approaches to promoting and ensuring equality and fairness, including very effective practice in education for racial equality, as excellent. A range of highly effective initiatives, involving pupils, parents and staff, had focused on promoting a positive multicultural community within the school. The school's outstanding work in this area had been recognised by the prestigious Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum award for multicultural education.

Since the inspection, the school has continued to show strong commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity.