Main photo credit: Belonging Effect 

Mid Essex ITT is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in teacher training and celebrates a diverse and inclusive workforce. We aim to create a safe space for all trainee teachers and strive to educate ourselves to get a better awareness of the nine protected characteristics. We are proud of our diverse cohort and work hard to ensure everyone feels that they belong. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and actively oppose all forms of discrimination. We have a responsibility to ensure that trainees have the health and capacity to train to teach and will not put children and young people at risk of harm, whilst meeting the expectations of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the offer of reasonable adjustments. 

Here are some of the positive steps that Mid Essex ITT have taken as part of our commitment to DEI in recent years:

• All trainees attend a virtual conference hosted by Belonging Effect (formerly Diverse Educators) where they hear from an inspiring and empowering range of speakers
• In 2025, our Director is taking part the Increasing Diversity in ITT project which is run in partnership with The Chartered College of Teaching and Mission 44. The project is focused on dismantling the systemic barriers that trainee teachers from Global Majority Heritage backgrounds face throughout the Initial Teacher Training journey, from application to leadership. 
• In 2023, members of the Leadership Team completed Menopause Awareness training 
• In May 2022, central staff took part in a three-part course in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)  - a Masterclass run by Belonging Effect 
• In 2020, training on diversifying the curriculum was provided for trainee teachers and staff from The Black Curriculum 
• In 2021, central staff completed training in inclusive recruitment run by Ignition Law
• Since 2020, Mid Essex ITT has been working with Now Teach, to encourage talented, experienced career changers to train as teachers
• In 2019, we introduced our Flexible Course. Each year, around a third of the cohort are parents or carers. 

We encourage applications from under-represented groups and will make all reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to address the barriers that these groups face. If you would like to discuss your requirements with a member of staff, please get in touch with our friendly team.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Objectives

Objective 1 To ensure that all trainees are trained in diversity, equity and inclusion and attend the Belonging Effect Conference in their training year

Objective 2: To ensure that all trainees understand the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and know about prejudice-based bullying

Objective 3: To ensure that all trainees are trained in the inclusion of learners with special educational needs and disabilities, English as an additional language, disadvantaged and looked after children

Belonging Effect website has an amazing directory here with further resources and sources of support. You can also download some of their resources below.