KES Statement on Anti-Racism

The shocking recent death of George Floyd in America and subsequent protests and events around the world have rightly prompted a vital discussion about inequality and injustice in our society. As shapers and educators, it is important that schools play a central role in that discussion and add meaningful voices to the cause of anti-racism and fighting prejudice in the UK and globally. Here at King Edward’s we remain determined to do that.

Our School Aims are explicit in their focus on, and our commitment to, creating an environment in which all members of our community enjoy equality of opportunity, are enabled to fulfil their own potential, understand their moral responsibilities, develop tolerance and compassion and acquire the foundations to lead honourable lives as positive contributors to society. Racism is incompatible with these values and is antithetical to our aim to foster an inclusive and outward looking community across our three schools.

We know that our staff and pupils feel very strongly that prejudice in any form is unacceptable, and the pupils’ ‘kind and thoughtful behaviour’ and ‘understanding of the need to show respect for others’ were just some of the qualities highlighted in the last full inspection report. However, it is vital that they are not just made aware of inequality and injustice in the world, but also educated and empowered to recognise and call this out and to bring about meaningful and sustainable change. The KES curriculum at all levels of the School highlights and embraces religious, cultural and broader diversity through many subject and topic areas from different perspectives, as well as through PSHE(E) lessons, assemblies and via debate and discussion in a range of clubs and societies, but there is always more that can be done in this domain to ensure balance and breadth of coverage. Between now and the end of term we will be highlighting some of the issues raised through recent events to the pupils in their PSHE(E) lessons and assemblies. In the coming weeks and months we will be asking all our colleagues to review how our curriculum and broader offering can do even more to help raise awareness and embed a knowledge and understanding of different cultures and viewpoints, of how and why systemic privilege and prejudice came about and still exists and of what we can all do to combat racism, inequality and injustice. We know that this is already happening, but also that there is an appetite from many different members of our community – pupils, OEs, staff, parents and Governors – to do more. One of the important aspects that has been highlighted recently is the danger of complacency, and so it is right that all schools look actively again at how they function and the role that they can play in helping to shape a fairer and more equal society.

These are important issues, and we take them seriously. As part of our audit, we will be engaging with our current and former pupils, parents and our wider community.  We intend to set up an Equality and Diversity Committee, working alongside existing pupil-led organisations such as our Aloud Gender Equality Group and KES Pride and making use of expertise and passion within and outside the School so that any appropriate changes are, as stated earlier, meaningful and sustainable. In striving to promote diversity and inclusion, our aim, now as before, must be for King Edward’s to be a place where everyone feels equally welcome and valued, and we are grateful for the support and suggestions offered in helping us to achieve this.

Co-signed:

Martin Boden, Headmaster, King Edward's School

Jayne Gilbert, Head of King Edward's Pre-Prep and Nursery

Greg Taylor, Head of King Edward's Junior School