Alleyn’s EDI Executive Committee meet to discuss school policies

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) executive at Alleyn’s gathered in a meeting with key staff members on Monday night, to discuss a number of topics including reviewing the school uniform and dress code policies through an EDI lens and how we can encourage pupils to report any incidents of prejudice.

Our EDI executive members expressed the ways in which the clothing worn to school can significantly impact focus - from the feeling of leather shoes and how they can be hot, heavy and uncomfortable, to the irritating sensation of high wool content fabrics scratching against the skin – both of which can serve as distractions; particularly for those who are managing heightened sensory stimulation; such as neurodiverse pupils.  

It was also tabled how what is worn to school can serve as a subtle display of culture, and act as a vehicle for self-expression. One sixth form pupil, when asked to explain the impact of being able to wear their own clothes to school, said that they found it easier to concentrate and learn when they can come to school in their own clothes. This suggests that, when pupils can come to school and express themselves authentically, it can have a positive impact on their learning experiences.  

Perhaps, when pupils are comfortable in their own skin (or in this case, their own clothes), they feel better equipped to engage in the learnings happening around them. This highlights the importance of creating a learning environment where pupils can comfortably be themselves, and school policies, uniform and beyond, play a major role in fostering such an environment. 

The importance of uniform in terms of bringing equity around socio economic diversity was unpacked, with students acknowledging the freedom from social pressures that uniforms bring.

In addition to uniform policies, the agenda included discussions on reporting concerns related to EDI matters. It's crucial that pupils are provided with a suitable platform to voice their concerns and ideas. This is a key goal of the EDI executive; to help create a school environment where every individual feels empowered to contribute to the school's inclusivity. 

The final agenda item addressed strategies for increasing participation in EDI groups and related activities.  

The EDI executive is a recent addition to our growing work in EDI, work that brings together student representatives from across the age range and from the many more focused EDI societies and student unions. Hearing from our pupil body through EDI Exec Committee always provides rich insights on how we might do things better as a school, and these twice-termly EDI executive meetings are just one of the tools in our belt used for cultivating an inclusive school environment. 

We look forward to hearing more insights and ideas directly from the pupil body in the New Year.