EDI Update - June 2023

FROM THE HEADMASTER

In a world where turbulence and trauma are increasingly prevalent, and the less appealing aspects of human nature are ever more apparent as pressures increase, it is even more important that we focus on raising awareness and understanding of, and active engagement with, matters around equity, diversity and inclusivity. If we want to build a world where mutual respect and a commitment to care for others are front and centre then this must remain a critical part of an education at Canford.

Previous EDI updates have set out plans and initial actions to ensure firm foundations are laid to enable us to develop this work. Our vision and values are clearly and carefully woven into the fabric of this approach. This latest update gives further insight into our ongoing commitment to a community which is warm, welcoming and listens to and supports everyone.

I have been so impressed by the manner in which everyone has embraced this commitment and, whilst we are not perfect and there is always more to do, I know that the whole Canford community will continue to follow this journey with open hearts and minds.

I hope you find this fourth EDI update helpful and please do not hesitate to get in touch should you wish to know more.

BEN VESSEY

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

To engage with staff, pupils, and parents in a proactive way to embed the value this brings to our school community.

OUR EDUCATION

To build an equitable and diverse school that prepares pupils to embrace differences in the global community.

OUR CULTURE

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.

TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

SAMUEL AMOASAH FROM AWUTU-WINTON SCHOOL IN GHANA

Samuel Amoasah, a teacher from AwutuWinton school in Ghana spent three months at Canford between January and March this year as part of a teaching fellowship between the two partner schools.

Samuel’s input into Canford life across the board proved invaluable to the whole school community - educating pupils and staff on Ghanaian culture, teaching English, Art, Geography and coaching football among his very busy timetable. Samuel also spent time in Monteacute house, teaching Ghanaian cooking and educating the boys on his culture. Samuel gave a talk to Upper Sixth pupils on the emotional impact the teaching of slavery has on African students. In Art he taught pupils how to make traditional Ghanaian clothes and he organised an online debating competition between Canford and Awutu Winton pupils on the motion ‘This House Believes Migration of Africans to Europe has benefitted Africans more than Europeans.’

His visit culminated in a celebration of the 66th Independence Day of Ghana where Samuel worked with pupils Kerry and Isaac to put together an exhibiton and competiton and gifted staff and pupils some of his amazing homemade Ghanaian clothes. Canford staff and pupils will be resuming the partnership visits this summer to continue that mutual connection and learning at both schools.

FOOTBALL COACHING

EXHIBITING HIS WORK

SAMUEL’S ART

POETRY READING

“When Samuel came into the house, he was immediately welcomed as one of our own. The pupils and staff alike were eager to learn about his Ghanaian culture and heritage and he was eager to learn about ours. Personally, having a member of staff of colour made me, and I’m sure other black and mixed heritage pupils, feel much more recognised. It seemed that the school was making an effort to diversify their staff and what the pupils are exposed to, even if only temporarily. Having Samuel in the house was a joy, whether it be beating us in ping pong, or just talking proudly about his debate team, he will definitely be missed by all.”

“I think that Samuel’s time at Canford was very beneficial to the community as we learned a lot from him about his experience of life and the culture in Ghana. He was very helpful in the Art department, teaching us how to make traditional Ghanaian clothes as well as the fundamental steps in dress making. We all appreciated his kind feedback on our projects. He also generously made numerous pupils Ghanaian clothes which we will treasure.”

GHANAIAN CELEBRATION

PUPIL-RUN EDI GROUPS

In this edition we wanted to report on the Pupil Groups at Canford. Our EDI strategy here has been to have an approach that seeks to involve the whole community. We are keen for pupils to purposefully engage with the ever-changing nature of the world around them. One way in which pupils have been able to demonstrate gracious leadership is through running pupilled support groups. The EDI groups meet informally at break times or after school to discuss common or shared issues. They seek to raise awareness of the differences within our community and to help ensure Canford is an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

RAINBOW ALLIANCE

This group of pupils meets to help ensure that Canford is a safe, inclusive and comfortable space for those who are allies or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Members of the group have organised tutor time activities. They are identifiable by the pride badges they wear on their blazers. These badges are also worn by key staff who are happy to be spoken to about LGBTQIA+ issues. This group have presented in assembly on the importance of allyship. Next, they plan to run a House competition which involves pupils creating a pride flag from art materials. These will be displayed as part of Pride month at Canford. We have organised a themed lunch based on a menu inspired by LGBTQIA+ chefs and have OC Elle Upshall coming to speak about setting up her company The Queer Campfire.

OPEN MINDED

This self-named group supports those who consider themselves neurodiverse. This umbrella term includes those who have ASC (Autistic Spectrum Condition), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), dyslexia or dyscalculia. It also welcomes those with a physical or hidden disability. This group meets to discuss how their neurodiversity can impact upon their studies. They

share common solutions to problems. This group is supported by the Support for Learning team who often work one-to-one with some of its members. The group have also held an assembly this year to raise awareness of neurodiversity and to explain to any pupil that they may be eligible for further support, particularly in examinations.

CHALLENGE SEXISM

This group of male and female pupils have been working to develop their understanding of this societal issue. The group have worked with Bold Voices and attended a number of online talks to fully consider the impact of sexist language, figures such as Andrew Tate and micro aggressive behaviours. The group produced a poster campaign to help challenge sexism at Canford. Next, they plan to invite in female OCs who work in male dominated fields, or male OCs who work in female dominated fields, to come and share their experiences.

BBMC

This is a student support group for racially minoritised communities at Canford. The group meets once a halfterm with Jemma Roye, the founder of Let’s Start a Conversation. BBMC stands for Beautiful Black Mixed Heritage Children. The working group aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment at the school while providing a safe space for black and mixed heritage children to share their experiences. The group has championed a book of the month for all pupils to read. This is displayed in the library. The group has run an assembly in which they raised the awareness with the whole school of the issue of racism and discussed the importance of allyship. Next, they plan to organise pupil group meetings in between Jemma’s sessions.

EDI EVENTS

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

The 27th January marked Holocaust Memorial Day, which falls on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi Death Camp established during the Holocaust. It is a day where we are all encouraged to remember in a world scarred by genocide; six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside millions of other people killed by Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

At Canford we held a tea lighting ceremony and took the opportunity to read poems and historical accounts. This was an opportunity to learn, reflect and remember. The lights reminded us to ‘Be the Light in the Darkness’; encouraging us to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide. The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was ‘Ordinary People’; the ordinary people who let genocide happen, the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide, and the ordinary people who were persecuted.

Holocaust Memorial Day was a day where ordinary people remembered and reflected. “And as a five year old, I could stand at the edge of the clearing where the trains were being loaded. People like sardines in those wooden trucks.And the people loading them in – they were railway men, they didn’t look terribly different from the railway men who check my tickets these days – they looked like ordinary people.” Dr Martin Stern MBE, Holocaust survivor

Commemorating and remembering this day is important, as it reminds us that prejudice and the language of hatred must continue to be challenged by us all.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was #EmbraceEquity. Our new website includes stories from many members of the Canford community, but in celebration of #IWD we shared two interviews from inspiring females who #EmbraceEquity in sport. We spoke to current Fourth Form pupil, Izzy, about her journey to joining the Southern Vipers EPP and her dream of becoming a professional cricketer and Anastasia Posner (nee Chitty) B12, Old Canfordian, former GB rower and Doctor. After leaving Canford in 2012, Anastasia read Medicine at Oxford University, and combined her academic studies with her love of rowing. Already a GB rower while at Canford, she became President of the Oxford Women’s Boat Club, taking her crew to victory in the first year women competed in the Boat Race alongside the men. Both videos are available to watch at www.canford.com.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

We celebrated Chinese New Year with board games, food and presentations from pupils about their culture.

To mark Pride Month, our EDI Pupil Leaders organised a special lunch for all pupils and staff in the dining hall on Thursday 8th June. The group worked with the Canford in-house catering team to devise a menu featuring recipes from a variety of LGBTQIA+ chefs. Whilst enjoying lunch, there was a Pride quiz to test knowledge of LGBTQIA+ around the world followed by the opportunity to speak to pupils about Rainbow Alliance.

CHEF, ACTIVIST OWNE LESBIAN AND M AMERIC

CHEF AND WINNER OF SEASON 10 OF TOP CHEF LESBIAN AND KOREAN FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANT

ACTIVIST AND URANT OWNER NDIAN AND FIRST TION IMMIGRANT

SILVANA SALCIDO ESPARZA

guacamole and cran salad

CHEF, COOKBOOK AUTHOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER GAY AND JEWISH

Bacon Waffels and Hot Dogs

MOLECULAR SCIENTIST TURNED COOKBOOK AUTHOR, COLUMNIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER GAY AND INDIAN

nd tamarind soup

COOKBOOK AUTHOR, WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND SELFTAUGHT BAKER GAY AND TAIWANESE AMERICAN

‘EDI is beautiful since it takes individuals, with an array of backgrounds, and knits them together to form a community, the Canford community. I am so honoured to be able to champion the voices of those represented in our community.’ Sophia

‘EDI is incredibly important to me as a mixed-race student at Canford. I want the school to be a happy and comforting community to all. LGBTQIA+ work at Canford and in all schools is relatively new which is why I am so proud of the pioneering attitude Canford is taking and all the work that is being done to keep Canford as everyone’s safe space.’ Lara

‘The EDI work that Canford has done has had a huge positive impact on the school. I have seen a vast improvement in my peers’ attitudes towards difficult discussions surrounding minorities, intersectionality, and other difficult topics.’ Theo

LARA Rainbow Alliance

JANSCI Challenge Sexism

TELE BBMC

JANAE International Pupil Link

SOPHIA Religious Focus

ELODIE Challenge Sexism JOHANNES Open

EDI PUPIL LEADER EDI PUPIL LEADER EDI PUPIL LEADER

PRESENTATION TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Our EDI Pupil Leaders recently presented to a team of Diversity and Inclusion experts who work in Industry. The professional team were suitably impressed with the presentations made about the EDI programme at Canford.

THE TEAM:

Gary Clarke-Strange - Head of D&I, Greene King

Jon Terry - Advisory Board Member, WiHTL

Georgina Warren - Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, IHG

Chami Dhillon - Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Kingfisher

The team made particular mention of the breadth and depth of our programme. They were also pleased to see that there is top-down and bottomup approach making it about genuine reflection. The experts were impressed to hear that we were not afraid of difficult conversations and urged us to retain our resilience in this respect. In their view our pupils had the right approach and we should keep going with our EDI journey.

When considering what we should develop next they suggested us trying to take a more intersectional approach perhaps by using one pupil group to support another. They also encouraged us to shout more loudly about what we are doing by sharing our practice with other schools. Following the feedback we are going to include more staff within the pupil-led groups and start to collect staff views in the way we consider views from the pupil body. We will also use the data collected from this year’s pupil questionnaire to see what we might be missing in our programme.

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Our approach to EDI is collaborative, inclusive and dynamic, involving pupils and staff within School, external expertise from across our wider community and advice and guidance from the Governing Body.

CANFORD GOVERNING BODY

Reviews strategy and receives regular updates

INTERNAL GROUPS

BBMC

Rainbow Alliance

Open-minded group

Challenge Sexism group

Strategy group

EXTERNAL EXPERTS

Bold Voices

Let’s Start A Conversation

Independent Industry experts

JUNE 2022

AGE

CANFORD COMMUNITY CHARTER

This charter is a public document that details Canford’s commitment to the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. This charter was drawn up by the EDI House Pupil Leaders and embodies our shared understanding of the importance of awareness, education and celebration of difference in all its forms.

In summary, everyone commits to being an ‘active bystander’ in not tolerating language or behaviours that fall short of treating others with dignity, kindness and respect. We aim to create a rich set of opportunities for pupils and staff to develop their understanding of the protected characteristics within our community and beyond.

www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights

Inclusion CANFORD

MARRIAGE & CIVIL PARTNERSHIP

We accept that there are necessary distinctions made between members of our School community but we strive to treat all persons, regardless of age, with the same respect.

We will aim to:

• Commit to promoting a culture of mentoring and support

• Create opportunities for interaction across our School community

• Understand that seniority makes an individual more able to be inclusive in their approach

DISABILITY

We strive to treat all members of our School community with any form of disability in a respectful and kind manner.

We will aim to:

• Commit to making others feel good

• Create an informed culture surrounding mental and physical disabilities in the community

• Understand the meaning of words and adjust our language if we discover it is causing unintended offence

GENDER REASSIGNMENT

We strive to treat all members of our School community in a respectful and kind manner.

We will aim to:

• Develop a community that is accepting of transgender people

• Create an environment for the transgender community to feel safe and supported

• Commit to validating people for their identity and not their gender

We strive to have an understanding School community that is accepting of employees personal circumstances.

We will aim to:

• Create a workplace that is accepting of staff who are married, in a civil partnership, cohabiting or single

• Provide access to employees to understand their rights and obligations

• Commit to treating all employees fairly

PREGNANCY & MATERNITY DISCRIMINATION

We strive to have an understanding School community who are respectful of employees personal circumstances.

We will aim to:

• Create a workplace that is supportive of pregnancy and maternity

• Provide access to employees to understand their rights and obligations

• Commit to a fair workplace for all

RACE

We strive to treat all members of our School community from all ethnic backgrounds in the same respectful and kind manner.

We will aim to:

• Commit to celebrating all racial and cultural backgrounds

• Creating opportunities for all to be equipped with knowledge to help them recognise racism happening around them

• Create a culture of Anti-Racism

RELIGION OR BELIEF

We strive to treat all members of our School community with any religion or belief in the same respectful and kind manner.

We will aim to:

• Commit to being accepting and supportive of all people in their different religious or non-religious viewpoints

• Create opportunities to discuss core values from different religions

• Create mutual respect for those of different faiths and beliefs

SEX

We strive to treat all members of our School community from all sexes, all genders or non-binary presentations in a respectful and kind manner.

We will aim to:

• Commit to finding opportunities to validate people for their identity not their gender

• Create paired events across houses and departments to facilitate positive engagement

• Empower all members of our community to challenge sexism

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

We strive to treat all members of our School community in a respectful and kind manner regardless of their sexual orientation.

We will aim to:

• Commit to being accepting and supportive of people no matter their sexual orientation

• Create an informed community of acceptance surrounding sexuality

• Understand the appropriate language to use

WE DO NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT OR ABUSE BASED UPON ANY OF THE PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS. THERE IS A RESPONSE AND RECONCILIATION PROCEDURE IN PLACE.

SIGNED BY:

This

is a dynamic document that is constantly evolving through learning more about EDI and sharing experiences. The charter will be reviewed on an annual basis.

NOTES