Principles for promoting cultural diversity through the curriculum

1. ‘Mainstream’ cultural diversity
Integrate cultural diversity so that it is an essential element of the existing curriculum. It should be impossible to teach subjects such as history, geography, English, art, music and religious education without reflecting cultural diversity. There are opportunities, also, in maths, science and technology. Look at what is being taught already rather than introduce something that is ‘special’ or ‘one-off’.

2. Teach about similarity and difference
Pupils need to understand that they share with all people membership of the human race, a similar range of human emotions and a similar range of survival needs. Beyond this shared experience, however, people have chosen to express themselves in different ways that can reflect environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts. When teaching about this diversity, 'different but equal' is a helpful approach.

3. Personal and cultural identity
Pupils need to feel confident in their own identity, that is often complex and changing, but also be open to change and development and be able to engage positively with other identities. All pupils should be able to feel that they belong in the UK and that this is an important part, though not necessarily the only part, of their identity.

4. Encourage a range of opinions and viewpoints
Show pupils there can be more than one way of looking at issues in the world. Introduce activities that enable pupils to speak, to listen, to ask questions, to be creative, to recognise bias and make balanced judgements based on reliable evidence. This is essential if pupils are to engage with the unfamiliar or with prejudice and stereotyping.

5. Provide opportunities to raise ‘issues’ of importance
Look for the many opportunities presented, for example, through stories, poetry, history and geography to raise ‘issues’. Do not be afraid to address within the classroom issues of justice/injustice, racism/anti-racism, equality of opportunity and world development.

6. Provide local, national and global contexts
Cultural diversity is not only about people and cultures in other countries. Make sure that teaching and resources reflect cultural diversity in the UK as well as the wider world.

7. Interdependence
Countries, cultures and communities are not cut off from each other. Throughout history there has been an exchange, a borrowing and sometimes a stealing of traditions, ideas, languages and cultures. Events and trends in one part of the world frequently influence people in other places. It is important that pupils understand that no culture is totally distinct from others.

8. Enrich teaching and learning
Use the diverse experiences of different people and communities and the many exciting art forms, musical styles, story-telling traditions and inventions from a range of diverse cultures to enrich the teaching and learning of pupils. Use the curriculum to challenge the assumption that all significant human achievements arose in the West.