CONNECTING TO NATURE WEEK
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 evolved into a comprehensive set of EDI policies and procedures that touch every aspect of school life, from curriculum design and pastoral care to recruitment, facilities and community engagement.
The whole school worked together on a new endeavour to appreciate, celebrate and better understand the natural world.
One of the most powerful drivers of this evolution has been the voice of our community. Input from both staff and students has been instrumental in shaping our approach. Affinity groups – meetings where Appreciating students and and interacting staff with with shared the identities natural world experiences was the aim can of a connect new venture – have, Connecting provided invaluable to Nature insights Week. The and whole helped school shape participated both strategy in this and special procedure celebration. These and exploration groups, alongside in October surveys, which, feedback from was organised school councils by the, school and the’ s two Institute EDI conferences of Teaching in and June Learning 2023. and 2025, have helped us identify gaps, challenge assumptions and build solutions. Our aim was to provide activities which through Training both physical has been and a intellectual cornerstone interaction of our efforts with. Over the
the natural past world four years promote, and a often deeper at connection the suggestion and of students understanding, we have, ignite implemented a sense of wonder a rolling and programme joy, and of encourage professional careful development stewardship for of staff nature and. educational sessions for students. These have covered a wide range of The topics programme
, including was the developed impact of in discrimination response to the on belonging findings of and the learning school’ s
, Flourishing and how to Research support students project who with are Research questioning Schools their International identity, with, which sensitivity showed and that respect connecting
. We with have nature also explored helps students how to be to flourish more
. inclusive Being in nature during boosts religious physical observances health.
, reduces stress and has been shown to improve student cognition in the short term.
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 Activities is included not a destination outdoor and but wildlife-themed
a continuous process lessons,. including As our community nature poetry evolves( English, so too), The must Lorax our understanding( Drama), composition and our practices using. recorded We know natural that there sounds are( Music still voices). The Art we need department to hear welcomed more clearly natural, and history barriers artist we Carim have Nahaboo yet to dismantle to run Year fully 7. workshops We on insect are committed art. Along to with remaining specimens open, he, humble brought live and giant responsive crickets and. giant stick insects, which students
Looking were delighted ahead, to we be aim given to deepen the opportunity our engagement to hold. with In assembly intersectionality, Years 10 and – the 11 ways listened in which to seasonal different aspects sounds with of identity sound( expert such as Greg race Green, gender, including, sexuality deer,, religion nightingales and, ability bats and) intersect whales with. The each sounds other continued and school into lunch life, to with shape birdsong experiences filling the. We Dining also plan Hall to. continue enhancing accessibility across the campus and On Thursday building a afternoon culture where
, the whole every Lower member
School of our took community a wonderfully feels invigorating seen, valued four-mile and empowered walk in Knole
.
Park, returning muddy but refreshed. In education, the work of equity, diversity and
inclusion With fundraising is never activities finished. But including with the bake collective sales, face focus painting of the and community a movie night
, we, the are week building raised a school
£ 950 for where local charity everyone
Folly has Wildlife the opportunity Rescue. A special to belong thank and you to to flourish the Drama
. department for their fundraising and for beautifully decorating The Space with Clare Ives nature-inspired art.
We hope that this will inspire more opportunities to connect with nature throughout the school year.
Hannah Barritt Research and Development Coordinator
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2024-2025 109