Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our vision is to create a whole school culture which actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion for all, and eliminates any conscious and unconscious bias among the school and wider community.
Reading is a powerful tool to educate our children about the diverse and beautiful world we live in. Check out the links below to access our EDI reading lists.
Diverse and Inclusive Book List
Diversity and Respect Reading List
East and South East Asian Reading List
Aims Our school aims to meet its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by having due regard to the need to:- Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- To continue to monitor and analyse pupil achievement by ethnicity, gender, special educational needs, disability, and pupil premium status, and take action on any trends or patterns in the data that indicate a need for additional support.
- To empower all children with a sense of national and cultural identity and belonging through our teaching.
- To continue to ensure that pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium are accessing enrichment opportunities such as after school clubs, music tuition and school trips.
- To ensure that all staff members receive continuous, progressive training regarding equality, diversity and inclusion.
- To offer a range of events to build a greater sense of community.
For more information, please see the school's Equality Information and Objectives - Statement for Publication.
Equalities Information and Objectives - Statement for Publication 2024
Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
The school's EDI Lead is Miss Emily Cook. She can be contacted via the school's communication system at communications@stpetersce.lbhf.sch.uk.
PTA
The aim of the PTA at St Peter’s is to fundraise, build community, and strengthen relationships between parents, carers, teachers, and pupils. Within the group, we have designated parents who focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
SEND Family Network
The school also has a SEND Family Network, organised by parent representatives. This group provides an opportunity for members of our school community to come together, share expertise, engage in open discussions, form friendships, and offer support.
Book and Educational Recommendations for Adults
If you would like to explore EDI related topics further, we have devised a resource list that is compiled of a range of books, podcasts, websites and more. If anyone has any further recommendations, please contact Miss Cook via our school's communication system.
Please see the glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Terms – this is not a comprehensive list but rather a starting point for conversation and learning.
2024-2025
Stay tuned...
2023-2024
East and South East Asian Heritage Month Reading List
2022-2023
Diversity Role Models
On Monday 15th May 2023, Diversity Role Models came into school to deliver workshops for the children.
Diversity Role Models is a registered charity with over 11 years’ experience supporting over 677 schools to embed empathy in the next generation and create an inclusive education system in which every young person can be themselves and thrive.
The pupil workshops aim to educate young people about diversity, encouraging them to develop empathy and respect, as well as understanding the impact of bullying and stereotypes to empower pupils to model positive behaviours in school.
These developmentally appropriate workshops support schools in delivering the RSHE curriculum through exploring how others’ families can look different but must be treated with respect. They also help pupils understand the importance of respecting others and their differences, different types of bullying, its impact and the responsibilities of bystanders, what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes can be unfair, negative or destructive. They promote students’ Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) development, are aligned to anti-bullying best practice as laid out in Preventing and Tackling Bullying (Department for Education, 2017), and support schools in meeting their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 by fostering good relations between diverse members of the school community.
Role Model Stories
Each workshop featured a volunteer role model who shared a developmentally appropriate personal story around the importance of respecting differences and celebrating different families. All role models were trained and supported in crafting their story to meet the needs of different age groups.
Ethiopian Takeaway
Community Arts Project
On Sunday 23 April, the EDI parent group hosted a community arts project. The children (and parents) created a diversity banner and decorated stones for a collaborative art installation to celebrate difference.
All were invited to take part in this community project.
It was a lot of fun - there was even cake!
Stephen Lawrence Day
This year on 22nd April 2023, it is the 30th anniversary of Stephen’s death.
Stephen Lawrence Day is an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen's life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. Through reflection, learning, and action, we can inspire change and create a better future for the next generation.
For more information, please see the Stephen Lawrence Foundation.
Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation
To honour this day, children in Key Stage 2 watched and discussed an inspirational video of Stephen's mother speaking. It is an incredibly moving and inspirational clip. The children then took part in a minute silence to reflect on the video and to pay respect to Stephen and Stephen's family. They then shared acts of kindness with one another.
Neurodiversity Week
Neurodiversity Celebration Week Newsletter
Neurodiversity Celebration Week begins the week commencing Monday 13th March 2023. “Neurodiversity” is a word used to explain the unique ways people's brains work. While everyone's brain develops similarly, no two brains function just alike. Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or “neurotypical” person.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
Valuing All Gods Children
This year the school has adopted the 'Valuing All Gods Children' policy. This policy helps schools to offer the Christian message of love, joy and the celebration of our humanity without exception or exclusion.
Central to Christian theology is the truth that every single one of us is made in the image of God. Every one of us is loved unconditionally by God. We must avoid, at all costs, diminishing the dignity of any individual to a stereotype or a problem. Church of England schools offer a community where everyone is a person known and loved by God, supported to know their intrinsic value.
Dyslexia Awareness Week
October 3, 2022 - October 9, 2022 was Dyslexia Awareness Week.
For those who want to learn more about dyslexia, or who want to support their children further, the two informative websites below contain a wealth of free resources.
Black History Month
Saturday 1st October marked the beginning of Black History Month; a month that honours the history of black communities and recognises the great achievements made by black leaders, activists and icons, who have shaped life, as we know it.
This year, the children focused on four themes:
Black British History and Black History (the Windrush generation)
Significant Black Icons and Events
Anti-racism – this theme will be discussed through a range of age-appropriate stories
Poetry written by people of Caribbean and African descent (November’s recital)
Our new music teacher, Jake Jones, taught the children a Windrush song as part of the whole school hymn practice, discussed the impact Reggae music has had on popular music today, and explored the debt many of our hymns owe to gospel/spiritual music. The children learnt/revised the classics Swing Low and Amazing Grace.
In art, the children in reception and Key Stage One explored artwork from the Ndebele tribe, as well as taking inspiration from traditional African patterns. In Key Stage Two, the children explored artwork by Australian Indigenous people and Torres Strait Islander people.
East and South East Asian Heritage Month
On Thursday 29th September 2022, a group of parents, Em, Joey, Irene and Zoe, put together and delivered a beautiful assembly honouring East and South East Heritage Month. Each child went home with a task to create a piece of origami a rabbit, moon or lantern.
Thank you Em, Joey, Irene and Zoe for your hard work, time and energy.
2021-2022
We are extremely proud of all the EDI events and learning which has taken place this academic year. Thank you to all those involved in the progress we have made this year - your time and energy is greatly appreciated. For an overview of our progress, and for our aspirations for the year to come, please see the document below.
Here are some of our celebrations and learning in more detail:
Family Supper
In May we were extremely excited to reintroduce our Family Supper event; a fantastic event to celebrate our school, and the wider community. This is a wonderful event where parents, children and staff come together to share our favourite foods, and dine together as one big St. Peter’s family. This event was free and friendly, and for all take part in!
World Book Day/Week
Fairy tales from different countries and cultures
Inspired by Michael Rosen and his incredible poems about familiar fairy tales with a twist, we based their English work for the week around a fairy tale from a different country and culture. The children read the story as a class and discussed the similarities and differences of the tale to other traditional tales that they knew. The children were then asked to ‘Cook up their own fairy tale’ based on the class text. It was a wonderful writing opportunity for children to learn about traditional fairy tales, give them a new life by remixing much-loved recipes and adding a touch of their creative magic. The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about different tales from a range of cultures.
Summer Fair
The PTA created an incredible summer fair this year. The SEND Family Network and the EDI parent group organised an AMAZING EDI stall full of brilliant activities for all. There was African dancing, sensory experiences, books from different cultures, delicious food and face painting - to name a few examples.
Carnival Day
In the Spring term, we had the pleasure of welcoming Fiona Compton, Notting Hill carnival ambassador, into our school. Fiona delivered a fantastic and informative assembly on the history of Caribbean Carnivals; she shared that carnivals are important because they symbolise the freedom and liberation of enslaved black people. She went on to discuss that Carnival is the one time in which all of the cadences and flows of the music rock your body and you can simply let loose – it is a big party for all!
Carnival as we know it in the UK is hundreds of years old. It was born out of the convergence of three movements of empire: the Spanish, the French and the British, after all three had colonised various Caribbean islands and enslaved Africans for centuries.
The children then made their own carnival masks using colour paper, card, sequins and glitter – lots of glitter!
Show Racism the Red Card
In the summer term, Year 4, 5 and 6 were very lucky to have a workshop with Anita, who was representing the charity ‘Show Racism the Red Card’. She discussed the meaning of discrimination, racism and hate crimes. The children and Anita discussed the definitions and their differences, before moving on to discussing the relevance of these terms, and their importance in everyday life. She was able to engage with the children and talk about how everyone is influenced by stereotypes, and how that can lead to discrimination. We learnt that we should not just deflect, but participate in the conversation in order to create change. Through group and pair discussion, the children were able to discuss their knowledge and learn from each other. Both Anita and the children’s teachers, were impressed with how well thought through their observations were and their mature reflection of their role in stopping and standing up to racism.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On Friday 11th February 2022 we celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
This is an important day to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls and to encourage equality in the STEM fields. Each class learnt about inspiring women in science.
Scientists are unique and special in their achievements; children in Key Stage Two also discussed diversity in science in relation to ethnicity and culture.
Here are the scientists that the children are learning about:
Reception – Jane Goodall
Year 1 - Joan Beauchamp Procter
Year 2 - Charlotte Armah
Year 3 - Mah Hussain-Gambles
Year 4 - Katia Krafft
Year 5 - Jo Shien Ng
Year 6 - Jassel Majevadia
Pete Reed
In January, Year 4 had the honour of speaking to three-time Olympic gold medallist, Pete Reed OBE (virtually). The session was truly inspiring for us all. Unfortunately, Pete suffered a spinal stroke in 2019, which has led him to be paralysed from the waist down. Pete’s words of wisdom, courage and optimism were truly mesmerising. He spoke passionately about his beliefs and the lessons he has learnt through his experiences.
Pete believes:
1) The reality is that we will ALL suffer adversity in life, at some point.
2) Everyday positivity.
3) Be kind to yourself.
4) Dwelling is normal.
5) Failing is ok.
6) Being vulnerable makes you a stronger than ever.
7) Never Give Up.
8) Stay hydrated, eat healthy food, get exercise outdoors, enjoy sport with friends, talk to your teachers about how you are feeling, get to bed on time and sleep well.
Black History Celebrations
'Lack of knowledge is darker than the night.'
- African proverb
For this year’s Black History Month study, we have decided to dedicate each week of learning to a specific theme. The first week focuses on black sporting Olympians, whose discipline and skill, has helped to shape sport, as we know it. The following week will celebrate black writers and poets; each year group will explore the narrative and features of an age appropriate book. The final week will be filled with a broad range of activities; there will be a strong emphasis on black British history and the local community. Moreover, we will explore and celebrate iconic black politicians, scientists, activists, philosophers and many more.
On Thursday 21st October, we will be wearing red to support the advancement of the anti-racism movement. At its core is education so at St Peter’s, as well as showing our alliance, we will be taking part in age appropriate anti-racism workshops within our classrooms.
For more information, please see the Black History Month Overview and the Significant Figures Document.
Black History Month Overview 2021
