INDIE

What is the Inclusion and Diversity in Education  Project (INDIE) ?

‘Inclusion and Diversity in Education (INDIE) is a British Council led project aimed at promoting social cohesion and raising educational standards in culturally inclusive schools. It is run in collaboration with local and regional education authorities from nine EU Member States: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The words ‘inclusion’ and ‘diversity’ are everywhere nowadays as Europe is becoming increasingly diverse. And where better to start building on our understanding of these terms than in schools? According to research conducted by the British Council in February 2008, across 47 schools in Europe, children find that differences in physical appearance, disability and skin colour are barriers to fitting in at school. They also suggested better induction for migrant children and parents when they start school, and more time to discuss differences in backgrounds and cultures in the classroom. In education, the increase in pupils arriving in schools from new communities is an issue all over Western Europe. One of the major concerns has been the school achievement of learners from these new communities. In the partner countries, inclusion and improving ethnic minority achievement have been affirmed as a central goal of education policy.

Brussels conference 2008

In February 2008, a conference of young people from Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Wales took place in Brussels. GDIS was represented  by Beneato Beadle, a Year 11 student. The end result was the European Young Persons' Charter on Inclusion and Diversity in Education. You can download a copy on the right of this page.

Year 9 activities

A group of Young Leaders in Year 9 is currently engaged in planning  and leading a programme of activities in school which celebrate our rich diversity of cultures and promote social inclusion.

Videos

Here are a few video clips to see the  Indie project in action

Inclusion and Diversity in Education - What is the charter?