Diversity & Equality at the BSN

Throughout its history, the BSN has enrolled students of many different nationalities and advocated international understanding. Indeed, one of the school’s early leaders, Nancy Macdona, often referred to the school with pride as ‘a miniature United Nations.’

A cultural celebration; students proudly wearing their national dress, 1940s.

Fast-forward to the present and the BSN is more diverse than ever with over 90 nationalities represented among our staff and student body; however, simply counting the number of different nationalities does not tell us anything about the experiences of our students. Being a diverse organisation is about more than having a diverse student body and saying we value diversity. Recent allegations of racism within the BSN shared on social media highlighted that very point.

Our CEO chose to listen, and act, instigating a broad, long-term, school-wide approach to tackling issues of diversity within our school culture. We were going to do this right! Realising that we needed expert guidance, Dr Aminata Cairo was engaged to support us on this journey. A cross-school staff working group of volunteers, including leadership and Governor representation, was formed and work began on action plans covering the broad categories of curriculum, pastoral support, staff recruitment and development, and policy.

“Of course, working groups and policies only have an impact if they become embedded into the very fabric of our school – a process that takes time and effort on all our parts.”

- Heath Monk, CEO

A Parental Reference Group was appointed in parallel to provide the checks and balances to the work of the staff group. The student perspective will be the next critical voice to add to make sure that our work truly does represent our community.

Diversity and Equality is a huge topic (both in size and importance). There will never be a point where we can score it off the agenda and consider our work ‘finished’; nor can we expect the staff and parent-working groups to be solely responsible for driving the change we all want to see. This work will be ongoing, and it will involve all of us, but there is something incredibly powerful in that realisation.

All of us have our unique role to play to bring about real, lasting, and ongoing change for the betterment of the BSN community, as well as society at large.

“In the short time that I have gotten to know the British School in The Netherlands community, I have seen first hand the attitude of honest self-reflection and a commitment to move forward. That’s where it all starts.”

- Dr Aminata Cairo

The Parent Reference Group meeting online with Dr Aminata Cairo.