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Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion statement

Unicorn School seeks to be diverse, open minded and foster a culture of compassionate and conscious inclusion. We stand against everything to do with discrimination, exclusion, harassment, bullying and hatred in whatever form it takes. Fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance, are promoted within our school. In order to achieve our aims, we are committed to striving constantly to address the barriers and challenges to inclusion that may arise over time in schools and wider society.

Our latest ISI Inspection states:

‘Pupils’ respect for diversity and cultural understanding is excellent. They respect and value the culturally diverse society in which they live. They are respectful of others and enjoy opportunities to find out about their cultures. Pupils spoke of the sharing of Spanish, French and Japanese food at lunchtimes as being positive and memorable experiences. Books in the library reflect the multicultural and socially diverse nature of the school and local population. Pupils are protective of those peers with different backgrounds and have the confidence to challenge inappropriate views and behaviours. Pride posters around the school were the initiative of the older pupils. EYFS children learn at an early age to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. They understand that everyone is special in their own unique way. There are numerous opportunities for pupils to learn about the festivals and customs of world religions and other cultures and older pupils spoke animatedly about their work in Black History Month.’
ISI Inspection

At Unicorn, EDI truly matters, and is going from strength to strength

At Unicorn School we are proud of the diversity of our community, welcoming and celebrating difference and all the opportunities it brings.

As a whole school we work towards a 365 approach to EDI where, rather than seeing it as a series of events, or something ‘extra’ it is instead embedded at the heart of all we plan and do, from our curriculum to the lunch hall, to the playground, staff room and beyond.

A recent audit of curriculum through the year groups found that our teachers are researching, creating, and resourcing a hugely diverse range of learning media, from the songs the children are singing to the people they are studying, the music they are dancing to, the food they are sampling and the stories they are reading.

We benefit hugely from our international families and this year have introduced the very popular Home Languages project, where each term all children learn words and phrases from a language spoken at home by families in the Unicorn community. Parent speakers of the language are invited in to help and children are given the opportunity to peer teach.

We have an active parent-school EDI team who have developed initiatives such as quiet sensory play areas for children to retreat to during busy events such as school discos and parties and who are currently working to create a summer festival that will be a true celebration of the diversity of our Unicorn community.

As a school we all play a part in helping our children learn to act with open mindedness, tolerance, kindness and to be upstanders, always willing to defend the rights of others. These are regular themes of our assemblies, as well as everyday topics of conversation, from Red Class to UV.

All children, from Yellow Class onwards, have the chance to take on a Smiley Person role for a term. Smiley People are ambassadors for inclusion amongst their peers, encouraging kindness, befriending those who might be feeling left out and challenging prejudice or unkindness if they should find it. Smiley People have regular meetings to discuss these principles and then share them with their friends, through assemblies, activities and in the playground. This year they have taken the lead in peer teaching about tolerance, standing up and speaking out, and how best to include others. They have also just introduced a new school prize: The Smiley People Award For Including Others. This cup will be given to a child who is noticed for reaching out to other children who may be alone or needing support. We are proud to report that this cup is the biggest (and heaviest) trophy in the school!

A big part of our approach to EDI at Unicorn is our willingness to learn. Staff attend a wide range of training courses and events, recently including conferences on antiracism, whole school training events on neurodivergence and cluster group events where independent schools share training, ideas and best practice in EDI, supporting innovation and improvement and allowing us to continually grow in this area.

Most of all we learn from the children. The languages they speak and the cultures and traditions they bring enrich our learning and our community, as do the talents and new perspectives of our neurodivergent children and those with differing ability.

Unicorn School has a proud history of celebrating difference and helping children find their place in the world, feeling proud of what makes them unique. So it is not surprising that at Unicorn, EDI truly matters, and is going from strength to strength.