New ARISE (Anti-Racist In Secondary Education) group off the ground

The staff ARISE (Anti-Racist In Secondary Education) group have started to meet with students to actively promote diversity within the curriculum and recruitment of the school. The first meet with students in Year 9 was positive and will enable discussions with Years 7, 8 and 10.

ARISE was a staff response to the racial awareness movement following the death of George Floyd. As a Senior Leadership Team, we wanted to create a forum for staff; those of ethnicity and allies to be able to share their thoughts, feelings and respond to what was happening in society locally, nationally and globally. 

Through our actions and teamwork with May Park Primary school colleagues, it became apparent that it was not just about race but identity too and how as school collectives, we could start to look at our institutions,  curriculums, or work areas and even our Multi Academy Trust to ensure there was real representation and promotion of diversity. 

As time has progressed, we want to have the voice of our students included in the work we are doing around an anti-racist curriculum, regarding staff and recruitment, whole school environment and spaces, whilst ensuring they are aware of the systems in place to support discriminatory language or actions.