Schools and Colleges

Supporting children, young people and families from diverse cultural backgrounds

Course Length: Half day, twilight or evening course

We live in a multi-cultural society and benefit from the rich diversity that this brings. However, challenges can arise when supporting people from different cultural backgrounds than our own. We all need to meet the requirements of the Equalities Act 2010, but this course takes us beyond merely not discriminating against people from different cultures and looks at how to successfully include everyone. If you want to know how to be more effective in the support that you give then this course is for you.

This course looks at the concept of culture and how we all have been shaped by the cultural influences that we have encountered. It considers generalisations and stereotypes, cultural norms and values, and communicating across cultures.

OFSTED requires all schools and Early Years settings to promote SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development and British values.

Pupils’ cultural development is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others
• understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
• interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

British values include:

• mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

By attending this course staff can explore the concept of cultural development and consider how this appreciation of cultures is promoted within their setting.

Effective volunteering trips overseas

Course Length: Half day, twilight or evening course

Many groups now go overseas for a few weeks, often to areas of poverty, with a desire to help the community that they will be working with, but how can we ensure that we are effective in achieving these goals?

Whilst much time and effort is put into planning the trip, and raising funds to go, there is often less preparation for the cultural aspects that are important to ensure an effective partnership between the two groups.

By looking at the cultural dynamics of the groups involved we can consider how to communicate well and develop a strong working relationship.

This course will help groups prepare for the different culture that they will encounter, and consider the emotional response of encountering poverty. Participants will be challenged to think about aspects of privilege and power, and to think about how this impacts on cross cultural partnerships. The importance of developing cross cultural relationships is discussed with strategies given to help participants accomplish this along with considering the long-term impact of their trip.

Debriefing can also be offered to individuals and groups on their return from overseas trips.