Discrimination - Teaching Expertise

The recent Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) decision by the High Court in the case X Endowed Primary School v Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (2009) could impact significantly on schools. Westley Laird reviews the case and discusses how this decision could affect your school

Michael Segal discusses a case where religious dress was thought to interfere with teaching, clarifying a school’s legal position in this situation somewhat

Upholding a school’s uniform policy can be difficult legally, in terms of religion and race discrimination of pupils. Richard Gold looks at some example cases, in order to explain the relevant legislation

Wearing religious symbols in school has become a sensitive and increasingly public issue, in relation to correct school uniform. Mark Blois looks at a recent case and explains the legal position and the implications for schools

What are schools’ legal obligations regarding school uniform? Legal Expertise answers your questions

The genuine occupational requirement defence to a discrimination claim allows schools to set conditions on whom they employ, and can rely on genuine occupational requirments (GOR) as a defence. Tamara Ludlow explains

How can a school best strike a balance between its uniform policy and its pupils’ right to manifest their religion or belief?

SENCOs will have a significant role to play in carrying out the new duties set out in the Disability Discrimination Act, writes Bill Goler

Heads must know, but not exceed, their powers when it comes to decisions on school dress, says Richard Bird, former headteacher and now legal consultant of the Association of School and College leaders (ASCL)

Cultural diversity calls for comprehensive policy. But what if it doesn’t cover the case at hand? Use common sense and consultation, says Michael Brotherton

All primary schools must have a disability equality scheme in place by December 2007. Margaret Collins offers some practical suggestions to help you meet the challenge

Schools can develop strategies to improve fairness and freedom in terms of their students’ future education and employment opprtunities, says Diane Bebbington

Schools are being advised to review their policies and practices to make sure that they are not doing anything that discriminates against pupils on the grounds of religion or belief

David Watkins argues that homophobia is something we should talk about and offers practical advice for creating LGBT-inclusive schools.

Gill O’Donnell argues that schools need to take a proactive approach to fire alarms if they are not to fall foul of the new disability discrimination legislation

Mark Jennett clarifies why schools and colleges need to talk about homosexuality. read more

What should employers do when faced with requests for allowances to be made at work on religious grounds? Helen Badger takes a look at the law

How can you handle children’s surprise at a new classmate’s disfigurement in a way that is positive for everybody? Jane Frances of Changing Faces offers some practical ideas. read more

Victims of homophobic bullying often have no one to turn to for support. Former headteacher Roger Smith highlights the importance of the fight to eradicate this form of destructive behaviour

Kris Lines takes the story of a girl who wanted to play mixed football after the age of 12, and explains its implications across the spectrum of school sport.

Jane West looks at some misconceptions about giftedness and how to dispel them. read more

Why do so many people think that giftedness is a ‘seriously wrong’ idea? Dr Ruth Cigman argues that the way forward lies in ensuring that we recognise genuine giftedness.

We all have policies; we monitor them, we evaluate them and every year or so we review them. Lynn Cousins suggests a different approach. read more

Robin Richardson writes in a personal capacity about DfES advice on countering racist bullying for which he acted as external consultant.

Dr Diane Bebbington discusses new human rights initiative the Commission For Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), which aims to support equality and diversity, and its implications for the education of young people

Dr Graham Haydon asks whether tolerance has become an easy option, which allows us to continue with an underlying disapproval of others because they are different