Our school is committed to fostering a community that celebrates diversity and dismantles racial barriers. We believe all students deserve a safe and inclusive space to learn and grow. This is why we've embarked on a journey of Racial Justice, equipping our community with the tools to navigate our multicultural world and advocate for a more just and equitable society.

Some of the steps we have taken so far include...

Curriculum: We have diversified our curriculum by integrating diverse perspectives and experiences across all subjects, going beyond traditional narratives and including the rich histories and contributions of people from many heritages - including those that reflect our community.

Culturally Responsive Teaching: We understand that teachers can create learning environments that value the cultures and backgrounds of all pupils. This involves using culturally relevant materials, fostering open dialogue about race, and employing teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning styles. We have a passionate staff team who are committed to this approach.

Pupil Empowerment: We create opportunities for children to learn about their rights, advocate for themselves and others, and participate in decision-making processes. We are also a Rights Respecting School and have a variety of pupil groups for the children to join.

Representation Matters: We have been actively diversifying our resources, including the reading books in our school library and classroom book corners, to create positive role models and exposure to different cultures and perspectives.

Community Engagement - We have built strong partnerships with our families and the wider community, allowing us to better understand and celebrate our differences. We have a vast number of families who participate in our cultural events such as Cultures and Languages Week.

Link to reading list: https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/diverse-and-inclusive-reads

Link to Talking to children about Racism: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

A shared language around race and ethnicity is crucial for a school community to promote racial justice for a few key reasons:

Clear Communication & Understanding: A common vocabulary ensures we are empowered with the correct vocabulary to engage in important conversations. Terms like "microaggression," "cultural appropriation," and "systemic racism" carry specific meanings. When everyone uses the same terms, discussions about race are clearer and more productive.

Building Empathy & Respect: A shared language allows our community to discuss sensitive topics with respect. Using accurate terminology avoids offensive stereotypes and fosters empathy for those who experience racial discrimination.

Identifying and Dismantling Racism: A common vocabulary helps identify racist behaviour and structures. When we recognise microaggression or unconscious bias for what they are, they can be addressed and dismantled, creating a more equitable environment.

Empowering Students to Speak Up: Understanding some of these terms empowers students, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, to speak up about their experiences with racism. They can use the language to advocate for themselves and others.

Creating a Unified Front: A shared language promotes a unified school community in tackling racial injustice. When everyone is "on the same page," it becomes easier to establish and enforce anti-racist policies and practices.

By adopting a shared language, we aim to foster open communication, build trust, and empower our community to work together for racial justice. The document below is in constant review. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the terms we have collectively defined.

All members of our community are responsible for challenging incidents of prejudice or racism. Racist incidents - and any other incidents in the form of bullying, harassment or discrimination towards the protected characteristics - will not be tolerated, will be reported and will be handled with a safeguarding-first approach.

In regard to racial incidents in particular, this approach aims to support families, adopt a whole-school reporting approach and empower the community to recognise and challenge discrimination.

As part of a group of schools in the Kingston and Richmond boroughs, we have formulated and committed the following pledge of actions:

Every year, we host a vibrant celebration of our diverse school community during Cultures and Languages Week.

Throughout the week we explore different languages, food, art, clothing, and traditions of various cultures worldwide. Lessons are transformed into exciting journeys across different cultures thanks to our wonderful community who volunteer to share their stories and traditions with the children.

We warmly invite you to join us for our next exciting exploration of cultures in June – come and sample the flavours, hear the music, and celebrate the rich tapestry of our school community!

The Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of school life in the UK.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Our Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond.

Link to website: https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/

Under the Equality Act 2010 (Section 149), schools are required to have regard to:

- Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

- Advancing equality of opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

- Fostering good relations between those who share a protected characteristic

e.g. disability, race, religion, belief, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, and those who do not.

For us this means:

Decision makers must be aware of the duty to have due regard when making a decision or taking an action, and must assess whether it may have implications for people with particular protected characteristics.

Schools should consider equality implications before and at the time that they develop policy and take decisions, not as an afterthought, and they need to keep them under review on a continuing basis.

The Public Service Equality Duty (PSED) has to be integrated into the carrying out of the school’s functions, and the analysis necessary to comply with the duty has to be carried out seriously, rigorously and with an open mind.

Please take time to read our Equalities Objectives document which is available in the policies section.