I was musing on a long walk with the dogs today. What is it that makes “equity” an uncomfortable concept compared to “equality”? I see “equality” a lot in profiles on edutwitter and I imagine most folks are working towards equality of opportunity for all learners but to get to..

that stage we need to have an equitable approach to all learners - to the poorest, the marginalised and the vulnerable, to the damaged and the belligerent. This means having EQUAL expectations of what they can attain (not achieve #RADY) but giving each child what they need to..

succeed. This means giving some learners MORE than others. More time, more resources, more attention, more work, more love, more understanding. This is the uncomfortable part - explaining this to ourselves, to other parents, to other staff, to other learners. But doing the same…

for all learners delivers results which do not provide equality of opportunity. Look at the last 10 years’ GCSE results. Let's face this discomfort down, let's give more to the learners who sometimes don’t seem to deserve it. Fight for EQUITY, not equality. Be militant optimists!