Intro

Ark All Saints Academy is committed to improving inclusion for our staff, students and our overall community – which includes parents, governors, alumni, and the other communities we serve. We are actively involved in multiple initiatives to ensure that the  Ark diversity and inclusion statement and commitments are brought to life. 

Our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) work is not yet done. We are actively and continuously listening, learning and working on an Action Plan for further work on D&I. However, we are proud of the things we have done so far, some of which are ongoing. Below is a brief overview of some our work in this area:

D&I line 1

PSHE curriculum

Delivered to all year groups:

  • run weekly in tutor time

  • Citizenship Day - termly drop down days

 

Anonymous shortlisting for recruitment

Removing personal information from candidate applications during the assessment process

Black History Month

  • Black History Month Citizenship Week

  • Black History Month Library Corner

  • Black History Month Menu Launch

  • Cinema Night - after school film screening

D&I line 2

Feeling hair empowered workshop

Hosted by guest speaker Subrina Kidd, about self-esteem, confidence and empowerment about Black hair care

English lessons – KS4

KS4 discussed some of the challenging issues around inclusivity in English lessons

RSE Parent Focus Group Workshop

Discussed RSE curriculum – with a focus on RSE and LGBTQ+ awareness

D&I line 3

Mosaic Team

  • LGBTQ+ sessions on gender and sexuality

  • LGBTQ+ drop-in support sessions

 

Kaleidoscope Project

Focus group with every year group, as an introductory session on racial awareness

Library displays

Focused on LGBTQ+, mental health, and wellbeing

D&I line 4

Curriculum – KS3

Reviewed all KS3 curriculums to ensure greater inclusivity

Family Heroes Board

Biographies about our parent heroes

Running for Justice Exhibition

Art exhibition in collaboration with Deo Kato

D&I line 5

Mental health and wellbeing

  • Sessions on mental health and wellbeing

  • Weekly group launched in partnership with The Nest (mental health service in Southwark) with Y7/8 and Y9/10

  • Weekly family therapy in partnership with Anna Freud

  • Wellbeing Garden

  • 2-day training for all mental health and wellbeing staff

 

S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project

Project run with Kay Rufai, focused on changing the narrative around young Black men and working on empowerment, confidence and positivity.