Morley Victoria Primary working towards being first school in city to achieve diversity award

A teacher at a Morley school is leading it into becoming the first school in the city to be awarded a quality mark for its work to promote diversity.
By Emma Ryan
Published 16th Jun 2021, 11:45 BST
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Morley Victoria Primary School is working towards gaining a Cultural Cohesion Quality Mark (CCQM) which is awarded to organisations and communities who can demonstrate improvements in their cultural competency.

It has been developed by and is led by Leeds Children and Families and private businesses, religious organisations, educational establishments, public sector organisations and local neighbourhoods can sign up.

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Morley Victoria is the first primary school to start the 12 step journey and the aim of the CCQM project is to improve equality and reduce discrimination, and enable equal access to

Children at Morley Victoria Primary School. The school is working towards its Cutural Cohesion Quality Mark which fully supports and rewards organisations that promote a collaborative approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.Children at Morley Victoria Primary School. The school is working towards its Cutural Cohesion Quality Mark which fully supports and rewards organisations that promote a collaborative approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.
Children at Morley Victoria Primary School. The school is working towards its Cutural Cohesion Quality Mark which fully supports and rewards organisations that promote a collaborative approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.

opportunities for every citizen.

Year 2 teacher, Candy Evans is leading the school's bid which has already seen staff undergo unconscious bias training, children doing work based upon Black Lives Matters, what worries them and the differences between their own lives.

The next step is a 'Diversity Week' which will start on June 21.

The families of different pupils will come into school to talk about their families and backgrounds and cultures, children will design their own versions of PRIDE flags, have a talk about the Equality Act and Black History month and students from Bishop Young secondary school will speak to the younger children about their culture and religion.

Candy Evans, a teacher at Morley Victoria and leader of the Cultural Cohesion project.Candy Evans, a teacher at Morley Victoria and leader of the Cultural Cohesion project.
Candy Evans, a teacher at Morley Victoria and leader of the Cultural Cohesion project.
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Ms Evans said: "I heard about it at a local network meeting and I find it really important to recognise the diversity of our school. Morley is not a particularly diverse area which is why it s more important for children to understand that children have differences and people should be treating each other equally.

"It is not just in ethnicity but special educational needs and views - you don't have to have the same views as everyone else. Our children feel represented. Morley Victoria is at the forefront of making this work, it is not a one off or token, it is embedded in school.

"Our children understand what diversity means and why it is important to celebrate everyone's differences. They are a lovely bunch of pupils, really kind and everyone gets along. It is important for them to see that Leeds is one of the most diverse cities in England."