6 minute read
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Dulwich College (Singapore)
By Dulwich College (Singapore)
Every year, the staff, students and parents at Dulwich College (Singapore) choose a theme to bind and unite us. This year, we settled on ‘Better Together’, which seemed entirely apt in a global pandemic.
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Every year, the staff, students and parents at Dulwich College (Singapore) choose a theme to bind and unite us. In previous years, we have been the change and celebrated our heritage, our home. We have also paid it forward, reached for the moon and focused upon kindness. This year, we settled on ‘Better Together’, which seemed entirely apt in a global pandemic.
Better Together also lent itself well to another dimension: diversity and inclusion. Few would argue with the notion that a diverse and inclusive society is the way forward so we felt that a starting point for realising this should be an examination of where we were at as a College within our own context. We needed to ask the questions: how diverse and inclusive are we as a community? What are the subliminal messages that this sends out? Are we perpetrators and victims of unconscious bias and what effect is this having on our children as we nurture and guide them to adulthood? How are we going to help them to make tomorrow's world a better one for all? To help us ask these questions, and more importantly to support us in coming up with honest answers, we worked with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultancy Include Consulting (referred to us by the British Chamber of Commerce – a constant source of information), who have particular expertise in supporting organisations in this area. We felt it was important to bring on board an objective external entity who would hold us to account and wouldn’t shy away from the challenging conversations.
In the first six months, they have helped us to set a framework and budget, set up an initial steering group, audit policies and procedures, run parent, student and staff focus groups, interview a number of leaders and subject matter experts, conduct a staff survey, compare ourselves against the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmark (which sets out standards based on organisations around the world) and draw up a clear action plan.
So what did we find out? As always, our wonderful students are one step ahead of us in their passion for this topic and their foresight in setting up student-led action groups. Parents are supportive and keen to see progress and staff are very clear in where they see inequity: whether that’s for international teachers, local teachers, assistant teachers or business support staff.
It also became clear that we couldn’t actually deliver on our vison, mission and motto without it. If we wish to ‘Live and Graduate Worldwise’ then our students need to value, respect and engage with diversity. They also need to know how to behave in an intentionally inclusive way if they are to ‘build bridges to the world’. We achieve this not only through what we teach, but by modelling diversity and inclusive behaviours within our workplaces and our community.
We also recognised that the education we provide is a privilege that only a few have access to, and as such we need to steer our students to use it as a force for good to make a positive difference in the world. Edward Alleyn founded Dulwich College in London in 1619 with the purpose of educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds starting with just 12 poor scholars. This vision of extending educational opportunity to those who showed potential, regardless of background, has now been carried forward to Dulwich College (Singapore). Starting this year, 12 scholarships are offered each year to students entering Year 12 (IB Diploma). The scholarships are means-tested and open to applicants of all backgrounds and nationalities who meet the requirements for entry into the College. Students are selected on promise and potential based on both academic and extracurricular achievement. A socially diverse student population is a key component of an international and balanced education and the provision of scholarships enables students, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to benefit from a Dulwich education, to join the school.
There are also some quick wins that we have put in place straightaway, such as a budget for DEI training, more varied options in the Dining Hall including an expanded vegetarian/vegan menu and a review of books in the school libraries with a number of new books purchased. In addition, all policies and procedures are now being reviewed with a DEI lens and we are trialling some recruitment software aimed at eliminating bias from the hiring process, courtesy of Diversely (another timely referral from the British Chamber of Commerce).
In the new academic year (August 2021), we will be launching a number of working groups to look at specific areas: Recruitment, Training, Staff Terms and Conditions, Teaching & Learning, Students and Parents and Community Engagement as well as inviting the formation of some Employee Resource Groups to represent the views of staff.
Above all, we will make sure that our curriculum and teaching do prepare students to Live Worldwise, with the skills and motivation to make a positive difference in the world. We all need to show respect and empathy for each other, regardless of background, so that every child feels they belong.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Dulwich College (Singapore) is a leading international school with a British independent school ethos, drawing upon the proud 400-year heritage, excellence, innovation, and values of the founding school in London. Part of the Dulwich College International network of schools, Dulwich College (Singapore) has a global outlook and contemporary approach, reflecting the diversity of the students from 2 to 18 years. Visit singapore.dulwich.org for more information.
