Whole-school equity: A Limit Less film

Too many young people are held back by the biases and prejudices of others when it comes to their education, training and careers. Their choices are influenced by stereotypes about gender, ethnicity and other aspects of identity. 
The Institute of Physics’ Limit Less campaign is calling for every school in the UK and Ireland to become truly inclusive - by taking a whole-school approach to equity. This involves the entire school community working together to create a plan to dismantle the barriers students face. 
A plan for whole-school equity ensures that what’s taught and communicated is inclusive and accessible, that young people have a voice in how the school is run - and that no-one is discouraged from exploring the future that best fits their talents. 
Our Limit Less animation explains what whole-school equity means, why it matters - and how you can implement it.
Full transcript:
Too many young people are held back by the biases and prejudices of others when it comes to their education, training and careers.
Their choices are influenced by stereotypes about gender, ethnicity and other aspects of identity.
School should be where preconceptions are challenged. Too often this isn’t the case.
The Institute of Physics’ Limit Less campaign is calling for every school in the UK and Ireland to become truly inclusive - by taking a whole-school approach to equity.
This involves the entire school community working together to create a plan to dismantle the barriers students face.
It’s everyone’s responsibility.
Having a plan for whole-school equity helps schools ensure everything is fair and accessible.
It should include everything the school is doing to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for all.
It means decisions can be tested against it.
Is discriminatory language challenged?
Is difference welcomed?
Do young people feel safe, respected and valued?
Is everyone encouraged to challenge their biases?
A plan for whole-school equity ensures that what’s taught and communicated is inclusive, that young people have a voice in how the school is run - and that no-one is discouraged from exploring the future that best fits their talents.
A whole-school approach involves using data and evidence to understand the experiences of all young people.
Actions are tracked for impact and it feeds into existing school improvement cycles.
At the Institute of Physics we believe that every school in the UK and Ireland should take a whole-school approach to inclusion and equity.
In decades of researching and challenging inequality in education, only where a whole-school approach is taken have we seen significantly more students from underrepresented groups progress in physics.
“A whole school equity plan is about making sure all students get the same opportunities... the parents, the students and the teachers are all involved in coming up with a common vision.”
Noel-Baker Academy
Evidence for the effectiveness of a whole-school approach is clear - and it’s the basis for the Limit Less campaign.
“We want the school to be a model for how society could be and it’s our job to educate our young people. They are going to mould what society looks like long after we’re gone.”
Noel-Baker Academy
It reinforces our belief that all young people should be free to choose whatever path is the best fit for their future.
Find out more about the campaign, explore the evidence and get involved at iop.org/LimitLess