Involve all members of staff, including the management, in developing an effective, dynamic program that aims to engage all staff and pupils in seeing the benefits of diversity by challenging thinking but respecting individuals. Put one member of each department in charge of this, but ensure that all are using the same format by using the same trainers and exercises. It is best to have a cross section of people training staff, rather than focusing on one ethnic group or gender.
Plan your sessions well. Encourage openness, while discouraging comments that could be hurtful to anyone in the room. Emphasize the commonality of purpose; anybody can be left out or hurt by the comments of others. Ask all the members in the group to describe a time they were excluded because they did not fit into the norm. Spend time exploring this.
Invite speakers who have been discriminated against and who can effectively articulate their experience. They should not dwell on victimhood, but rather on the strength their experiences have given them, and how they turned things around. Use sessions to explore the positive aspects of diversity.
Encourage informal groups that are based on shared interests, not just shared ethnicity or religion. Recreational sports, debating societies, drama groups and other activities can help diverse students form close bonds.