The Equalities and Diversity Service provides advice, support and training to schools on a range of equalities issues including the Equalities duty, anti-racist and anti-homophobic education, black and minority ethnic pupil achievement and the progress of children learning English as and additional language. The Equalities Adviser works with a range of staff; 

  • Senior Leaders 
  • Inclusion Managers
  • EAL/EMA Co-ordinators
  • Class Teachers and Learning Support Assistants 

The Equalities and Diversity Service includes the New Arrivals Team  which provides support for the families and schools of newly arrived pupils and maintains a register of bilingual assistants, covering a range of languages, who can offer support to schools, their pupils and families in the following ways: 

  • Interpreting at parents' meetings to enable both schools and parents to exchange information and voice concerns 
  • Supporting pupils in class enabling them to access the curriculum
  • Carrying out first language assessments

What we offer

  • Advice on strategic management of Equality and Diversity 
  • Bespoke support for all staff working with BME/EAL pupils in primary and secondary school settings
  • Strengthening the leadership of inclusion and BME/EAL achievement
  • Team teaching and modelling of quality first teaching
  • Tailor-made training to schools on a range of issues including pupils new to English, as well as more advanced learners of English
  • Preparing for Ofsted and whole school audit for inclusion and diversity
  • Monitoring of BME & EAL pupil group progress and advice on evaluating of interventions

Quality of service and evaluation

Aspects of this service are regulated and evaluated by external providers, including Talking Partners@Primary accreditation. Other aspects are evaluated on a regular basis and feedback is always welcome. In addition, we quality assure our service via feedback from schools.  Training course evaluations have included the following comments: 

"I now feel much more confident in supporting staff with identification, assessment and ways forward" 
 SENCO 

"A useful course with good handouts and case studies. Excellent course leader. Thank you" 
Inclusion Manager  

Cost

See Merton School Improvement website for current prices.

Contact

Merton School Improvement
Children, Schools and Families
10th Floor Merton Civic Centre 
London Road 
Morden
SM4 5DX  

Tel: 020 8545 4064
Email: msi@merton.gov.uk