Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As a community we have been working hard to create a kind and inclusive school where all students can feel that they belong. We strive to create a safe environment where respect and equity inform everything we do. Our school is a rich and diverse community, so we must develop thinking and attitudes appropriate for the global society in which we live.

Challoner's DEI Charter

This charter is for current and prospective students and staff, as well as the wider community, to understand the commitments of our school in this vital area, and to outline the expectations of all members of the school community.

Our key commitments:

• Maintain a positive ethos: we stand for an atmosphere of empathy, inclusion and respect that empowers all members of the school community.
• Commitment to curiosity: We will retain a curiosity about others in our diverse community whilst also remaining tolerant of others who might make genuine mistakes along the way.
• Accountability: We will accept responsibility for our actions and any negative impacts our comments and actions have upon those close to us and the wider community.
• Stand strongly against discrimination: We will actively oppose any form of discrimination including the protected characteristics of: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. This will be treated with the same protocols and rigour as other harmful acts.

Our DEI Pledge

1. Educate: Address problematic stereotypes and prevalent prejudices by showing each other how such intolerance directly affects individuals and society as a whole.
2. Encourage dialogue: Offer a safe space in which everyone can openly discuss issues they feel are important, share their own experiences and ask questions.
3. Set clear expectations:  Make clear in the school's code of conduct that any form of prejudice and discrimination is unacceptable and detail the consequences. Breaches of these rules will be followed with swift action.
4. Promote diversity and inclusion: Encourage the celebration of diversity and sharing culture through activities that can be enjoyed by all.
5. Promote and empower upstanders: Encourage students and our whole school community to challenge intolerance and to teach them how to support those affected by intolerance effectively.
6. Involve parents: Ensure that families are aware of the positive work being undertaken by school. Involve them in what students are learning and encourage them to reinforce the same messages in a more direct and personalised way at home.

Workshops from Beyond Equality

We have engaged the services of Beyond Equality who are a charitable organisation working with schools across the UK on healthy mindsets and challenging stereotypical views, particularly around gender. They run a series of three 2-hour workshops over a number of months that all students across a year group take part in.

Here is a statement from the website describing the intention of the sessions:

Rather than telling pupils what to think and feel we make space to hear from them and for them to hear from one another. We guides them through the processes of socialisation and the potential impact of gender roles so that they can form their own ideas about who they want to be.

There is a short 4 minute video which explains more about what Beyond Equality do here as well as a short overview of what happens with their Schools Programme here.

Charity Iftar 2025

The DCGS Islamic Society was delighted to host the first ever Charity Iftar Event during Ramadan. The Society has been running for a number of years and was keen to offer the opportunity for students, staff, parents and alumni to come together during the special Ramadan period. The event took place in the Hall at DCGS and was attended by over 120 people and had a fantastic sense of togetherness into our school environment by sharing a meal with fellow members of our diverse and inclusive community. At the event, not only did we all enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family but also had the chance to listed to short speeches from staff and students and engage in a fun Ramadan quiz. It was extremely special to then be able to offer (or observe) The Maghrib Salah (Sunset Prayer).

The success of this inaugural Iftar paves the way for future events, setting a precedent for even greater engagement and inclusivity. It was an evening of faith, friendship and progress -  a true testament to the power of community at DCGS.

Free and Equal Ambassadors 2024-5

At Challoner's, we believe that every student has the power to create positive change. Twenty of our Year 12 students have been appointed Free & Equal Ambassadors which involves in person and online training sessions, equipping them with the skills and confidence to challenge discrimination and foster a more inclusive school culture.

The Free & Equal Ambassador Programme is designed to empower students to speak up about issues such as racism, misogyny and LGBTQ+ phobia. By harnessing the power of peer leadership, the initiative aims to mobilise students to take an active role in shaping a school environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

This has led to student surveys, poster campaigns and assemblies this year and we plan to continue this programme in the future.

Challoner's Speaks, February 2024

Annually, the students at DCGS take to the stage to give a speech on a host of subjects to practice and display their oracy and rhetoric skills whilst, more importantly, shining the spotlight on important topics and issues. In February 2024, the English and Drama Department at DCGS chose the topic of amplifying.

In this context, amplifying meant giving wider attention to a topic of the speakers choosing. Inspired by insights generated from the school's new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter, the competition was a great success. As a Year 8 writing this article, I was highly impressed with the range of topics and skills which were delivered. This included speeches on the Suppression of LGBT+ Communities, the Destruction of Wildlife and Discrimination Against Immigrants, to name a few. The most popular topics included Racism in Football and Mens' Mental Health. These topics not only reflected the diversity DCGS seeks to promote as a whole, but also reflected the ability of each student to grasp the meaning of diversity and present it appropriately and captivatingly.

(writing by a Year 8 student)