25 Jul 2025

Diversity Lens - Issue 252

Diversity Lens - Issue 133 Diversity Lens - Issue 132 Diversity Lens - Issue 131

I was away last week and stayed at a hotel where several staff members had visible physical disabilities. It stood out because, in my experience, it’s relatively uncommon to see disabled people visibly represented in customer-facing roles.

This week, MPs launched a major inquiry into the disability employment gap, which has barely shifted in over a decade. Nearly 700,000 working-age disabled people want to work but face barriers like inaccessible recruitment and poor employer support.

At the same time, the government is pressing ahead with £4.5 billion in planned cuts to disability benefits by 2030—something disability charities warn could push many further into poverty.

So while the inquiry is a positive step, it's happening against a backdrop that risks making life even harder for the people it’s meant to help.

Oliver Gilbody, Director of Marketing

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

📆 1,000 UK workers to keep 4-day week after trial

📺 Lena Dunham admits Girls’ lack of diversity was “disappointing”

🏳️🌈 MP Nadia Whittome criticises asylum system after meeting LGBTQ+ refugee

🎾 Billie Jean King calls for support for trans athletes

👧 Children in England facing extreme poverty, report warns

LET'S GET INTO IT 👇

Parental leave system under review

Government launches full-scale review of parental leave and pay to better support families and modernise outdated rules.

What's changing?

The Government has launched a wide-ranging review of the parental leave system – including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave – to explore how it can better support working families.

Currently, the system is complex and not working for everyone. One in three fathers don’t take paternity leave because they can’t afford to, and uptake of shared parental leave remains very low. Campaigners have long called for reform, saying the system is outdated and leaves too many parents, especially those on low incomes, without real choice. The review will gather views from parents, carers, employers and experts, and will end with a roadmap for possible reforms.

Why does this matter for equality?

When leave is unaffordable or inflexible, it’s usually mothers who take the hit. That means less time to recover, more pressure to leave work, and deeper inequality at home and in the workplace. A more inclusive parental leave system could help close the gender pay gap, improve child wellbeing, and make it easier for all parents to play an active role in those critical early months.

Campaigners have welcomed the review as a long-overdue opportunity to redesign the system around the needs of today’s families, and to build something fairer, simpler and more supportive.

London primary school named first UK Beacon of Excellence for Race

Grinling Gibbons Primary School recognised for its pioneering leadership in race equality and inclusive education.

Why is this a big deal?

Grinling Gibbons Primary School in Deptford has become the first and only primary school in the UK to be named a Beacon of Excellence for Race and Conscious Equality – a national honour granted by The Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT) in partnership with Fig Tree International.

The award recognises the school’s long-standing commitment to race equality, inclusive leadership, and curriculum reform. Executive Headteacher Dean Gordon, who was born and raised in Jamaica, called the moment “humbling and empowering,” describing it as a testament to the “quiet courage” and deep integrity of the school community.

What does it mean for the future?

The award covers the period from March 2025 to February 2028, but for Gordon and the team, this is just the beginning. “This is not a destination, it’s a launch pad,” he said. “We’ll keep challenging, keep listening, and keep leading with joy, conviction and humility.”

Staff say the recognition reflects years of thoughtful work, driven not by accolades but by a deep belief in what children deserve. Deputy Headteacher Mrs Williamson-Smith said, “We didn’t do this for recognition – we did it for our children.”

The honour puts Grinling Gibbons on the map as a model of what equity-focused education can look like – and how change can start in a single school.

New RSHE guidance: gender identity can be taught, but not as fact

Government updates sex and relationships education guidance in England, with a more flexible approach to gender and age appropriateness.

What's changing?

New relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) guidance has been published for schools in England. It states that pupils should learn the legal definitions of biological sex and gender reassignment, but schools must not teach that everyone has a gender identity as fact or present social transition as a simple fix for distress.

Unlike the previous government’s draft, which proposed strict age limits, the new guidance gives schools more flexibility. Primary schools are encouraged to teach sex education in years 5 and 6 but must consult with parents and offer support for those conversations at home. Schools can also now respond to real-life issues, such as exposure to pornography, sextortion, deepfakes, and misogyny, if they know these are affecting their pupils.

Balancing inclusion and clarity

The new guidance has been welcomed by many school leaders for offering clearer direction while avoiding rigid restrictions. But concerns remain about how gender identity will be addressed in practice.

Groups like Bayswater have criticised the lack of safeguards, while others warn that ignoring gender identity entirely could leave trans and questioning pupils unsupported.

The government has promised separate guidance on supporting gender-questioning pupils, which will be key to shaping inclusive and safe learning environments. For now, schools are being asked to reflect real experiences while remaining sensitive to complex and sometimes polarised views. What matters most is ensuring all pupils feel seen, supported, and safe.