Equalities and Race Equality Audits

SSAT’s rigorous, in-depth Equalities Audit and Race Equality Audit will help you better understand how well equality, diversity and inclusion policy and practice is embedded in your school, and the impact work in this area is having on learners, staff, and other stakeholders and what needs to change.

Equalities and race equalities audits take the form of a series of structured conversations with stakeholders from across the school and:

Provide a starting point for school wide conversations about equalities issues.
Give children, young people, staff, parents/carers, governors and other stakeholders opportunity to voice their views on the school approach to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Enable leaders to identify what is working, what are the challenges and what needs to be improved in relation to these key areas of the school’s work.
Support the development of strategy and sustainable action.
Are adapted to the needs and context of your school community.
Are professionally, skilfully, and sensitively handled, encouraging openness and honesty and creating a sense of agency and empowerment.

Who are the equalities and race equality audits for?

Schools, trusts and local authorities in all phases.

The externally facilitated audit will take some of the pressure to lead these challenging conversations away from busy senior staff.

The chance to work with the SSAT facilitator will provide support for equality, diversity and inclusion coordinators and leads as they implement and embed actions and strategies.

What’s involved

Stage 1: Initial meeting (Approx 90 minutes)

With the Headteacher/Principal and key staff to discuss the audit aims, scope, communication and logistical arrangements.

Stage 2: Facilitated audit conversations (Three days in school)

A series of 30-minute conversations with small groups of staff, students, and other stakeholders taking place over the course of three days.

Stage 3: Review and write up

Your SSAT audit facilitator will summarise conversations and surface common threads, strengths and priorities for action and improvement that have emerged from the audit.

Stage 4: Feedback and next steps (Approx 90 minutes)

A feedback session with key staff to present and review findings and discuss further actions.

An additional implementation planning session can be arranged with your SSAT facilitator on request.

Timescales and other requirements for completing the audit

It is recommended that the audit conversations take place over a minimum of two or three full days within a term. Days agreed do not need to be consecutive days.

It is advised that the person(s) leading on equality, diversity and inclusion at the school is fully involved in the audit conversations.

Already making progress on your equalities journey? Are you ready to demonstrate and celebrate your commitment to action and improvement in relation to race equality?

The Race and Conscious Equality (RACE) Charter Mark could be for you.

Find out more

Key information

Conduct a Race and Equalities Audit to help you gain deeper understanding of your school community and the next steps you can take together.