Anti-Bias in Education Residential at Corrymeela Community in Ballycastle

We at the Council for Integrated Education were delighted to be able to deliver the Anti-Bias in Education programme as a residential in January 2024.

Thanks to generous funding from the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Northern Ireland Office, we were able to offer this training package to teachers in Integrated and Transforming schools. This provided educators with the chance to connect with other professionals, tackle the challenging topic of bias, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

Over the course of three days, twenty teachers from sixteen individual school settings engaged with the four goals of Anti-Bias practice – identity, diversity, justice and activism.

Day 1

The first day of residential involved getting to know one another and exploring the history, context, and development of Anti-Bias practice.

Participants took time to consider their own experience within education and beyond, and in doing so, highlighted the breadth of knowledge and diversity within the group.

At this stage of the course, practitioners are encouraged to explore the role bias plays in how we construct our identity and navigate the increasingly complex and diverse world that we live in.

Day 2

On the second day the group considered what ‘justice’ is and examined how it looks, and how it is experienced in their own lives.

Time was spent considering the role of the educator in the development of children and young people by exploring the power & responsibility dynamics at play in schools and wider society.

Day 3

On the final morning participants reflected on their learning and future aspirations for further developing Anti-Bias within their Integrated school settings. Following a final workshop and lunch together, the course was concluded and our merry band of bias busters began their journey home!

Training Outcomes:

Learning – Understand the principles and rationale of anti-discriminatory / anti-bias theory and practice.  

Thinking – Reflect on the role of education and your role in challenging bias. 

Doing – Explore the practical implementation and embedding of Anti-Bias in Education with colleagues from other Integrated schools, sharing experiences, knowledge and practice. 

The Anti-Bias approach is at the core of Integrated education. NICIE can support schools to further develop this part of their ethos, so that together, we can contribute to a more peaceful society.

If you are interested in taking part in and becoming an Anti-Bias champion for your school, let us know by registering your interest in our upcoming training courses. 

https://forms.office.com/e/tZwuqBiDMF

You can also contact llargey@nicie.org.uk to discuss your staff training options.