Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

As an academy we do not align ourselves with any political party or political movement. We do not tolerate racism or marginalisation of our communities.

We endorse the view expressed by the Harris Federation that supporting young people to achieve the best possible exam grades is one of the best ways of improving their life chances.

The academy is committed to developing and upholding British values including democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Therefore, we strive to understand, accept, respect and celebrate cultural diversity and the multiplicity of identities through challenging ‘The Single Story’ in the classroom that exists in the UK about race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and religion.

Our core values at HAR: Belong; Believe; Become; are entwined in our everyday practice and we strive to ensure equality and inclusiveness of every child regardless of race or gender.

We have created and will continue to create resources that enable a greater and deeper understanding of modern-day Britain that is reflective of our student community. We will further adapt the curriculum to better reflect the breadth of all cultures represented at the Academy and continue to improve the knowledge and awareness of all members of our community.

We believe...

At HAR we believe it is important that all students and staff understand:

The history and achievements of the communities that make up Harris Rainham Academy
The part played by black and other communities in the development of the modern world
Key reasons why modern Britain and the wider world are organised as they are today
The ways in which young people may make their voices heard to bring about change in peaceful and legitimate ways within our democracy and to achieve greater equality and inclusivity
The ways in which young people may play a more active role in their local communities
The skills and attitudes young people need to be successful and participate fully in the twenty first century world
How young people can demonstrate their skills and interests in ways which make them the best candidates for university places and jobs

We believe that pursuing these aims will develop the confidence and self-esteem of all students, create space for young students to express their creativity and celebrate cultural diversity.

We will seek to further develop our curriculum provision and the attitudes and understanding of the Academy community by:

auditing our current curriculum provision across the school, to see what is done well and sufficiently and which areas of desired provision need to be developed further
reviewing (over time) and amending the curriculum in all academic subject areas to ensure that subject content relating to the heritage and life experiences of our student community is represented. Whilst all subjects have a role to play, emphasis will inevitably be placed on the humanities and the study of literature
looking in greater depth at our staff and student experience
reviewing and amending the curriculum for PSHE and learning guidance. Learning guidance occurs daily and is an excellent opportunity to talk about leadership and responsibility and to discuss current affairs. We will ensure that this time continues to be developed as an opportunity to improve our student’s knowledge, understanding and skills
Putting in place a programme of staff training to help staff better understand the issues affecting our students’ lives and experiences, language and unconscious bias
Creating more opportunities to celebrate the heritage and cultural diversity of our school community. This will be accomplished through assemblies, lesson time where applicable and through our annual culture day
Ensuring a diverse range of visitors and speakers for students to meet and learn from
Providing a wider range of books and curriculum materials
Ensuring extra-curricular opportunities are open to all students
Seeking the views of students on how they see the curriculum and how they would like it to be developed
Discussing with students how they feel they are perceived in and out of school and how we can support students in contributing to active change within the school community

We want our journey towards becoming a more inclusive and aware community to be exciting and celebratory. We recognise that there are many experiences in the histories and present lives of our communities which must be addressed seriously and sensitively. But we aim to improve our students’ futures through learning about their past and aim to equip our students to be happy, secure and successful adults who understand, and take pride in their heritage.

Equality, diversity and inclusivity at HAR

During the year, HAR continues to celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusivity through assemblies, our annual culture day and through celebrating annual celebrations and days of remembrance. Examples of assembly presentations can be found below:

Resources for students and parents

Here are some resources and links to help educate ourselves about race, racism, gender equality and LGBTQ+. We have included suggestions for students and parents.

Key stage 3 reading suggestions

Key stage 4 reading suggestions

Reading lists

Refugees

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/books-understand-refugee-experience/

Disabilities

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/8-beloved-book-characters-with-disabilities/

Podcasts and websites

Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment - this episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast talks about the importance of hiring black teachers where black children are taught and how schools can support the achievements of black students.

About Race - a one-off series from Reni Eddo-Lodge, the author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race. She explores issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance.

BBC World Service’s Witness Black History - interviews with people who were there at key moments in black and civil rights history.

BBC short films celebrating black history

Empire Podcast by William Dalrymple (KS4/5)

You're Dead to Me by Greg Jenner

Charities and organisations

Mentivity

Mentivity mentors and supports young people, families, schools and the wider community to enhance social cohesion, social mobility, improve educational outcomes and raise aspirations for our youth. Find out more.

Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI)

Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) provides support for people who have suffered hate crime, including attacks that were racist, homophobic, transphobic and/or sexist. The charity employs trained caseworkers in order to help victims with the mental trauma they are experiencing, to assist with legal proceedings and to refer them to other services that may be of use. Find out more.

Stop Hate UK

Originating in 1995 following the murder of Stephen Lawrence, Stop Hate UK is an organisation committed to supporting people affected by all forms of hate crime across the UK. “Stop Hate UK works alongside local strategic partnerships to tackle hate crime and discrimination, encourage reporting and support the individuals and communities it affects,” the charity says. “Our helplines enable people to access independent support and information, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.” Find out more.

Runnymede

Runnymede is a registered charity and think tank that aims to “challenge race inequality in Britain through research, network building, leading debate and policy engagement”. The organisation, which is funded entirely by donations, states: “Our authoritative research-based interventions in social policy and practice, and our public engagement with decision makers, will assist policy-makers, practitioners, and citizens, to reduce the risk of our society being blighted by racism and discrimination to the detriment of us all.” Find out more.

Show Racism the Red Card

Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism educational charity that uses workshops and training sessions, among other resources, to educate on and combat racism. Founded almost 25 years ago, the organisation uses high-profile football players to publicise its message. Find out more.

Support with mental health and welfare

Black Minds Matter – free therapy/support groups and mentoring.
BLAM charity – online forum to discuss events.

LGBTQIA+

LGBTQIA+ mental health - Information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+).

https://www.justlikeus.org/blog/2021/11/25/research-report-growing-up-lgbt-bullying/
https://www.sarbat.net/what-we-do
https://imaanlondon.wordpress.com/islam-sexuality/
https://www.keshetuk.org/youthandyoungadults.html
https://www.diversechurch.co.uk/about-us
MindOut - is a mental health service run by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) people.
https://www.tradingstandards.uk/about-us/our-community/2024/july-disability-pride-month/#:~:text=Disability%20Pride%20Month%20happens%20every,and%20their%20contributions%20to%20society.
https://www.ldnlondon.org/about-us/

Podcasts

https://makinggayhistory.org/

For parents/carers

Raising Little Allies-To-Be: An Incomplete Guide - a beautiful resource to explore diversity and equality with children
How to talk to kids about racism, protests and injustice – article from Today.com
Talking to kids about race – article from National Geographic resource
How to talk to your children about race and racism – article from the BBC
The Children’s Community School – Social Justice Resources
Resources for Families of LGBTQ+ Youth

Equality Champions at HAR

Programme

Engage with an Issue
Question the Media
Understand the Issue
Act to make a difference
Leave a Legacy

Aims

To empower students to challenge discrimination on/offline in school and in the wider community. -
To remove any barriers that prevent students from growing and becoming involved in the community.
To challenge false information and fake news, create positive messages and representations of vulnerable groups, and share the work created with others.

Activities

We will research projects that challenge discrimination locally and in other parts of the world, and share the messages from what we have learnt throughout the school
We will learn to challenge discrimination on and offline and put what we have learnt into practise when we need to
We will advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it;
We will remove any barriers that prevent us from growing and becoming involved, as students and as individuals
Identify the types of barriers that prevent growth and participation (e.g. Language and sexism)
We will learn more about how discrimination affects individuals and groups locally and in other parts of the world
If we know someone that has experienced discrimination or hate crime, we will make sure they are supported by speaking with the right members of staff
We will foster good relations, and promote understanding and tolerance between people of different characteristics, abilities and backgrounds - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
We will challenge false information and fake news, create positive messages and representations of vulnerable groups, and share our work throughout the school
We will identify stories in the medias that negatively portray groups or communities (e.g. Asylum Seekers as illegal immigrants or Disabled people as benefit cheats) and research the facts behind the stories, so that we can share the true stories
Create opportunities for issues to be discussed openly, ensuring that equality is regularly discussed within the school
Celebrate Diversity Days and contribute to Culture Day

Transferrable Skills

Organisational, analytical and communication skills
Research; critical thinking and negotiation skills

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