I
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Empowered to
EXPRESS
EDI AT
CANFORD
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE JANUARY 2022
FROM THE HEADMASTER Mahatma Gandhi said: “No two leaves are the same, and
yet there is no antagonism between them or between the branches on which they grow.” To me, these powerful words encapsulate the essence of the importance and centrality of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all our lives. Developing these concepts should sit within our hearts and in our minds and guide our words and actions each and every day. You will see from this update that we have already put in place some important elements as we progress on our EDI journey at Canford, but there is much more to be done and through working together supported by external expertise and experience, we will build a better community for everyone. Please do make time to read this important update.
PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS
AGE RACE GENDER REASSIGNMENT MARRIAGE AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIP
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
SEX RELIGION OR BELIEF
DISABILITY
WHAT EDI MEANS AT CANFORD EQUALITY / EQUITY • Everyone is given the same resources and opportunities. • Recognition that each person has different circumstances and may need different support to reach an equal outcome.
DIVERSITY • • • •
Nurtures a ‘growing’ community outlook. Encourages varied perspectives and more effective learning. Inspires creativity and drives innovation. Develops interpersonal skills for employment in the global community.
INCLUSION • Is central to our values and culture as a school. • Promotes wellbeing and fosters growth mindset. • Is kind to all and allows everyone to thrive.
“My interest in the EDI committee stems from a will to do the right thing, by combatting injustices around the school grounds relating to discrimination.” “I wanted to express my interest in EDI, and I’m extremely interested in EDI as it covers many different agendas and specifically racism which I’m interested in tackling.” EDI COMMITTEE PUPILS
DEAN ATTA AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH
‘The majority is often unable to notice the struggles of the minority, which is why it’s so important for groups such as these to shed light on these issues and instigate change. As a neurodiverse individual, I hope to use my own negative experiences to create a safer community for marginalised groups.’ CANFORD PUPIL
TALK BY DR ANGELINA OSBOURNE ‘PUTTING THE BRITISH INTO BLACK HISTORY’
CHINESE NEW YEAR
OUR VISION FOR EDI AT CANFORD OUR COMMUNITY To empower all pupils, staff, parents, governors, and OCs to take responsibility for diversity and inclusion.
OUR AIM
OUR EDUCATION
OUR CULTURE
To engage with staff, pupils, and parents in a proactive way to embed the value this brings to our school community.
To build an equitable and diverse school that prepares pupils to embrace differences in the global community.
To create and maintain an open culture by encouraging exploration to ensure all pupils, staff, parents, governors, and OCs feel a sense of belonging.
OUR FUTURE As a community to excel in EDI, leading the sector whilst empowering future generations of Canfordians.
CANFORD EDI TIMELINE Our EDI journey is ongoing, but this summary gives an outline of the main work we have focused on so far.
2020 • EDI Working Party formed with pupils, staff, Governors and advisers reviewed work at Canford to date, researched EDI initiatives and presented findings to SLT and Governors in March 2021
SUMMER TERM 2021 • April: 5 year programme of implementation begins • May: Rainbow Alliance established - a pupil-led group for all those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or who simply wish to support them
• May-June: Pupil-led sexism survey launched and completed • June: EDI Pupil Leaders lead Pride Month within the school community • June: Sexism in the Workplace: Panel of external experts - for Fifth Form and Sixth Form
CHRISTMAS TERM 2021 • September: Staff inset focus on anti-racism • September: EDI working group, Rainbow Alliance group and Challenge Sexism group meetings continue
• • • • •
September: Appointment of EDI House Pupil Leaders to meet fortnightly September: Sexism Survey follow up presentation and discussion groups with pupils and staff October: Black History Month school wide focus October: Festival of Ideas ‘The Individual in Society’ November: Flair survey to review attitudes to racism in the Canford Community commissioned and completed
• Throughout the term: Calendar of EDI events selected by pupils
EASTER TERM 2022 • • • • • •
January: EDI update including outomes of Flair survey shared with pupils, staff and parents January: Staff inset focus on anti-racism January: First meeting of anti-racism group of pupils and staff January: EDI webpage launch with information on latest developments and useful links January-March: Development of an anti-racism strategy with external expert input February-March: Monthly theme running through school events and curriculum (LGBT History Month, Race Equalities Week, International Women’s Day, Neurodiversity Week)
• March: Canford Community Charter launch by EDI Pupil Leaders • Throughout the term: Calendar of EDI events selected by pupils
MOON FESTIVAL
PATRICE LAWRENCE MBE AT THE FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
RAINBOW RUN
PRIDE MONTH AT CANFORD
‘Being dyslexic I am especially passionate about celebrating neurodiversity ! We all learn differently and have different strengths - that is what makes life interesting and exciting. I think we should celebrate those differences and educate everyone that just because someone may find some things harder and struggle in one way, they can excel in others. For me it is all about embracing everyone’s ideas and thoughts.’ CANFORD PUPIL
DR EIAD ZINAH AT THE FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
CHINESE NEW YEAR
FLAIR SURVEY SUMMARY OF FINDINGS • There is very low ethnic diversity among both pupil and staff bodies • Improvement needed to ensure that all minority groups feel their ethnicity is not a barrier to being themselves, accessing opportunities, receiving care and support and appropriate recognition at school • Pupils and staff need educating further on how to respond appropriately when witnessing racist behaviours at school • Racist behaviours, particularly jokes, are more often witnessed by pupils rather than staff
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS Introduce workshops and training for staff
Develop
Review
a racial equality
curriculum where
Create an
strategy with
appropriate
online reporting
external experts
and pupils led by
tool for pupils to access and notify staff quickly
Develop
external experts Establish a mentoring programme for pupils to share perspectives and concerns
of any race issues
recruitment strategies to encourage more diversity within our staff body Review systems
Organise group
and protocols including
interviews with current
process to promote
pupils to explore current
education/reconciliation and
issues and share ideas
responsibility when
to further educate our
managing racist
school community
incidents
Create an online staff diversity resource hub to access materials to help educate about racism
DI
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FORD
“I believe every young-person should feel wanted at school and know that they are valued. By focusing on EDI, we can ensure Canford is a happy environment for students and staff regardless of their background. There is so much we can learn from each other if we are prepared to listen.” TEACHER “Being the mother of two disabled children and working in our Support for Learning Department, the pain and frustration of those who are marginalised is something I witness too often. Joining the EDI research group in 2019 has enabled me to be their voice, as well as speak on behalf of all part time teachers, women and mums. Our goal is to ensure that Canford continues to listen, learn and lead by example so that we enter our new century as a more inclusive, respectful and welcoming community.” MEMBER OF SUPPORT STAFF “The majority is often unable to notice the struggles of the minority, which is why it’s so important for groups such as these to shed light on these issues and instigate change.” “As a member of the LGBT community at Canford, I want to represent and speak for my community and for those who don’t have the confidence to do so themselves.” “For me, EDI is how I hope to change Canford for the better not just for myself, but for my peers, and the students that will come after us.” EDI COMMITTEE PUPILS
FINDPUPILS OUT FROM EDI COMMITTEE EDI AT
CANFORD
MORE
www.canford.com/equality-diversity-inclusion @canford_equality