EMBEDDING EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
In education, the work of EDI is never finished. But with the collective focus of the community, we are building a school where everyone has the opportunity to belong and to flourish.
At Sevenoaks School, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion( EDI) are not treated as standalone initiatives or occasional themes. Instead, they are woven into the fabric of daily life, guiding how we teach, learn, live and grow together as a community. There is much to be proud of, but we remain mindful that this is ongoing work, requiring constant reflection, listening and adaptation.
Four years ago, the journey began with a foundational commitment to equity – meeting students where they are – recognising that fairness is not about treating everyone the same, but about ensuring everyone has what they need to thrive. This principle has since
In evolved education into a comprehensive set of EDI, the policies and work procedures of culture EDI where every is member never of our community finished feels seen, valued. that touch every aspect of school life, from curriculum design and and empowered. pastoral care to recruitment, facilities and community engagement.
But with the collective focus In education, the of work the of equity, diversity community and inclusion is never,
One of the most powerful drivers of this evolution has been the finished. But with the collective focus of the community, we are voice of our community. Input from both staff and students
we are building a school building where a school where everyone has the opportunity has to belong has been instrumental in shaping our approach. Affinity groups and to flourish. – meetings where students and staff with shared identities or
Dr Clare Ives the experiences opportunity can connect – have provided invaluable to insights belong and and to flourish. helped shape both strategy and procedure. These groups, alongside surveys, feedback from school councils, and the two EDI conferences in June 2023 and 2025, have helped us identify gaps, challenge assumptions and build solutions.
Training has been a cornerstone of our efforts. Over the past four years, and often at the suggestion of students, we have implemented a rolling programme of professional development for staff and educational sessions for students. These have covered a wide range of topics, including the impact of discrimination on belonging and learning, and how to support students who are questioning their identity, with sensitivity and respect. We have also explored how to be more inclusive during religious observances.
These sessions have not only increased awareness but have also fostered empathy and practical understanding. They have encouraged staff and students alike to reflect on their own identities and experiences, and to consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive environment for others.
Importantly, EDI is not confined to the classroom or the boarding house. It informs how we celebrate cultural events, how we design our menus, how we think about uniform, communicate with families and respond to incidents of bias or exclusion. It is present in the books we choose for syllabi, the speakers we invite and the stories we tell about who we are and what we value.
We are under no illusion that the work is complete. Inclusion is not a destination but a continuous process. As our community evolves, so too must our understanding and our practices. We know that there are still voices we need to hear more clearly, and barriers we have yet to dismantle fully. We are committed to remaining open, humble and responsive.
Looking ahead, we aim to deepen our engagement with intersectionality – the ways in which different aspects of identity( such as race, gender, sexuality, religion and ability) intersect with each other and school life to shape experiences. We also plan to continue enhancing accessibility across the campus and building a
108 WELLBEING