The BRIDGE Standard will be awarded to schools on demonstrating their commitment to excellent EDI provision. BRIDGE stands for Belonging, Representation, Inclusion, Diversity, Growth and Equity. IELA, which is part of the BSA Group, has developed a rigorous approach which is based on five key areas:
- Policies, Leadership and Governance
- Culture and practice
- Pupil experience
- Staff experience
- The curriculum and extra-curricular programme
Why register for the BRIDGE Standard?
The audit is designed to be supportive. There are three key aims behind the standard:
- Evaluate policies and practices to ensure the school fosters equity, represents diverse voices, and promotes an inclusive and fair environment for all students and staff.
- Identify strengths and areas for improvement in creating a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Choosing a school for your child can be a challenging decision, made even more so by distance, time zones and language barriers. In achieving the BRIDGE standard, schools will be able to use the standard to explain to prospective parents and educational agents that the school has been assessed by an independent body and proven to have demonstrated an inclusive approach and environment.
What can you expect?
- A comprehensive review of key policies
- An audit on-site evaluating the five key areas
- A report highlighting key strengths and areas for development. This report will be discussed with you, and amended if appropriate, before being finalised.
The BRIDGE standard is available to any IELA member school, day or boarding. The assessor(s) will need to be satisfied EDI work is meaningfully embedded and delivered across the whole school.
Schools which meet the IELA BRIDGE Standard will be entitled to use the IELA BRIDGE logo in their branding and showcase a certificate of accreditation. The Standard is valid for three years.
Cost
Members: £1,750 + VAT
Non-Members: £2,500 + VAT