We’re delighted to share our new anti-racist statement and policy, created by an anti-racism working group of staff with a diverse range of roles from across our schools and the teaching school team. Following the demonstrations and discussions that have happened across the world as a result of the murder of George Floyd in 2020. We’ve spent time reflecting on how we take practical actions as a community that will make a real difference. We are proud of the Trust’s approach to inclusion and diversity, and history of tackling racist issues. However, recent events have made us realise that our current approach is not sufficient to address the challenges of racism and become a genuinely anti-racist Trust. Tolerance has never been enough and never will be. Connecting with the new Tower Hamlets anti-racism strategy, we’re determine to make our contribution to a society that is actively anti-racist. Our vision is that our pupils and or members of our community will only judge others, and allow themselves to be judged, on their hard work, achievement and character, both now and in the future.
As always, this starts with our pupils. We want to equip all of them with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to recognise and tackle racism actively, wherever they encounter it. Starting with history, we are refining our curriculum content and progression maps to enable an increased focus on racism and anti-racism, and better representation of Black voices and experiences. We will also look for other opportunities, for instance within extra-curricular opportunities, to develop our pupils as anti-racist citizens.
We also want to make sure that our schools have the best possible systems, processes and cultures to support our approach. As well as reasserting our existing policies around reporting and addressing racist incidents, in the next academic year we will:
- Look for opportunities to train all staff, trustees and governors in ‘racial literacy’
- Consider options for changes to HR policies and practice that will continue to increase the diversity of our teachers and school leaders
- Work closely with parents so that they understand and can shape our approach, and are motivated to support our efforts.
- We are enthusiastic about the opportunities that our refreshed focus on anti-racism offers. The opportunity to teach our pupils new knowledge, skills and attitudes that can develop them as human beings; to tackle topical issues with bravery and honesty; to demonstrate how schools in our Trust can come together to create new solutions to pressing problems; and to demonstrate our overarching philosophy of Ubuntu.
