The Diversity Councils from both our Senior and Junior Schools met earlier this week. It was the first meeting this year between the two groups as part of our ongoing conversations about bringing meaningful change in terms of building on our inclusivity as a community. Our 16-strong Junior School Diversity councillors were represented at the meeting by Leonora C, Shreya T, Jenna S and Saina B and our Senior School by Ella S, Lara G.

The whole school Council, which includes students from our Junior School (Years 5/6) as well as Senior and Sixth Form, discussed the importance of sharing their manifesto and exchanging ideas. The Diversity Councils are the pupils’ voice making contributions to the school’s diversity action plan so that diversity is embraced and embedded across school life. This includes an emphasis on teaching students the importance of listening, empathy and sensitivity when discussing diversity and complex situations and beyond school the importance of empowering students to confidently manage issues of discrimination they might encounter outside the school environment.

School initiatives were discussed including Black History Month, LGBT+ Month and a Pride celebration in the summer. Councillors also spoke about raising more awareness of different faiths through workshops, assemblies, noticeboards and Interfaith Week (February) as well as future collaborations between our Inter-faith Leads and the Diversity Council. There were also plans for the second Cultural Celebration Week in the summer term, which could include atrium concerts with music/singing from different cultures, cultural dishes/cookalongs, dancing workshops and talks from parents. Year 13s Asha and Lara also spoke about integrating ideas from the GDST Diversity meeting on students’ faiths and reflecting our community.

Read more about Diversity and Inclusion at NHEHS here.