Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At IFT, we are committed to advancing education for a better world by cultivating a teaching profession that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive. We strive to remove systemic barriers that hinder talented individuals from entering this rewarding field. Our definition of inclusion encompasses fostering awareness of diversity, implementing reasonable adaptations, and creating a supportive, respectful culture that reflects our core values. Through these principles, we aim to empower educators and contribute to a more just and inclusive future.
Why EDI matters in education
The persistent gap between the ethnic diversity of the teaching workforce and that of the student population remains a significant challenge.
Currently, the composition of our teaching workforce does not reflect the ethnic diversity present within the working-age population or among school-aged learners. Addressing this disparity is essential to ensure that education systems are inclusive, representative, and capable of meeting the needs of all students.
"The teaching workforce should reflect the communities they serve. A diverse workforce brings diverse perspectives, enriches the educational experience, and provides important role models for all pupils." — NFER, 2024
Our actions to overcome barriers
We take a proactive and holistic approach to breaking down barriers in teacher recruitment and training. Our initiatives are designed to ensure fairness, promote diversity, and prepare educators to create inclusive learning environments. Through targeted recruitment, comprehensive training, and community engagement, we strive to build a teaching profession that reflects and serves the diverse society in which we live.
Inclusive Recruitment and Selection
Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for every candidate. All interviews are conducted by experienced hub teams who have completed unconscious bias training. To support applicants, we provide tailored pre-interview insight sessions and individualised guidance to address specific concerns, such as overseas qualifications or visa requirements.
Comprehensive Training Programmes
We prepare all trainee teachers to become inclusive educators through a carefully designed curriculum. Our training addresses barriers to learning, promotes accessible teaching practices, and fosters collaborative classroom environments. A core component of our programme equips trainees to confidently discuss topics of race and racism and to actively challenge discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
Proactive Recruitment
We actively seek opportunities to attract individuals from under-represented groups, strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion across the teaching profession. Our hub-based model ensures that staff in each local area have a deep understanding of the communities they serve, enabling effective engagement and outreach.
Our ongoing commitment and learning
We are dedicated to continuous improvement in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within teacher training. As part of this commitment, we actively engage in collaborative initiatives that strengthen our practices and help us build a more representative teaching workforce.
Diversity in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Project
We are proud to participate in the Diversity in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) project, a collaborative initiative led by the Chartered College of Teaching in partnership with Chiltern Learning Trust and Being Luminary and funded by Mission 44. This project plays a vital role in advancing our efforts to create a fair and inclusive teacher training system.
Targeted Coaching and Collaboration
Through this initiative, we receive targeted coaching to enhance our recruitment and training practices. We also join a network of providers committed to addressing inequities in ITT recruitment and retention. This collaboration enables us to share best practices, learn from others, and collectively work toward a more diverse and representative teaching profession.
Why This Matters
By engaging in projects like this, we strengthen our ability to remove barriers and ensure that teacher training reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Our ongoing learning and collaboration are essential to creating an education system where every student can see themselves represented and valued.
What’s next
Building an equitable and inclusive teaching profession is an ongoing journey, and we recognise that there is still much more work to do. Our commitment is to actively seek support, listen to feedback, and continuously learn to improve.
Continuous Review and Refinement
Over the coming months and years, with guidance from our diversity coach, we will regularly review and refine our processes, programmes, and support systems. This will help ensure that individuals from marginalised groups are treated fairly and that the education workforce better reflects every child.
Practical Changes That Make a Difference
We are implementing meaningful changes to improve candidate experience, such as providing an overview of interview questions in advance and offering pre-interview support with our hub teams. These adjustments help candidates feel better prepared—particularly those experiencing anxiety—and benefit all applicants.
Deepening Our Understanding
We will continue to assess diversity and inclusion across our programmes to identify areas for improvement. Alongside this, we are engaging in ongoing, whole team training to deepen our understanding of challenges and develop systems where everyone can thrive. As leaders, we are committed to challenging ourselves and building structures that promote fairness and inclusion.
Our Commitment to Progress
This is not a one-time effort but a sustained commitment to creating a teaching profession that truly represents and serves every child. By listening, learning, and acting, we aim to make meaningful, lasting change.