“Pupils’ understanding of the importance of treating others as they want to be treated themselves pervades the school and they firmly reject discrimination of any kind on any grounds” 

ISI Report 2020

We are proud of the inclusive nature of our school. Focusing on tolerance and respect for yourself and others is a cornerstone of our ethos. We believe in the importance of hearing, and acting upon, the voices within our community and ask for regular feedback and suggestions on how to improve our school. We understand that not all differences are visible and aim to ensure that a sense of belonging is instilled throughout our community.

Undivided is our annual programme of whole-school initiatives which celebrate a broad range of events throughout the year which are reflective of the diverse community that is Sydenham High School. We have staff members coordinating activities and training throughout the year

We have a Neurodiversity Council, Afro-Caribbean Society, LGBTQ+ Society and an annual Cultural Diversity Day and South Asian Heritage celebration to name a few examples from our established Undivided programme.

Our Head of PRE is our GDST Undivided Steering Group member, and works collaboratively with colleagues across the Trust to ensure that teaching and learning is adaptive and relevant and that a sense of belonging is fostered across all schools. Staff participate in regular Learning Streams where best practice and information sharing develops our commitment to an inclusive environment.

As a school we are committed to the GDST Charter for Action which sets out our commitments:

• We will continue to embed a culture of inclusion. A community where everyone feels that they belong and where every person is valued and supported. This will encompass what and how we teach, the role models we elevate, the voices we amplify, and the cultures and faiths we celebrate.
• We will create opportunities for pupils to share feedback, discuss ideas and contribute to their whole-school diversity and inclusion strategies, as well as that of the GDST.
• We will have a representative on the GDST Student Diversity Council which will feed into organisation-wide action plans for increased diversity and inclusion.
• We will ensure that school policies are clear, visible, and inclusive of every pupil.
• We will regularly survey our pupils so that their experiences can be channelled to make measurable improvements.
• We will work with our school governors and other stakeholders in developing our own pledges on diversity and inclusion.
• Senior school leaders will engage with families regularly, to ensure everyone feels listened to and represented.
• We will share resources with the wider school community to educate themselves on issues of diversity and inclusion.
• We will work collaboratively with local schools in activities and subjects that support a diverse and inclusive education, as part of ongoing outreach work.
• We will regularly review our recruitment policies and practices, and ensure those engaged in recruitment are equipped to draw candidates from as wide and varied a pool as possible.
• We will provide a robust programme of training for all staff on issues of bias, beliefs, and behaviours.
• We will further enhance our continuing professional development programme to support the career progression of all staff.
• We are committed to appointing candidates to leadership and governance positions that better reflect the diversity of our students and of society.